Uttarakhand CM Celebrates Record Devotee Turnout at Kedarnath Dham
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the state’s administration for the successful arrangements made for the Char Dham Yatra. This year, Kedarnath Dham has welcomed a record number of devotees, even after facing a disaster. The CM emphasized that ensuring a smooth, safe, and well-organized Char Dham Yatra is a top priority for the government.
During his visit to Kedarnath Dham, the CM paid respects to Lord Shiva, wishing for the happiness and prosperity of the people. Kedarnath Dham is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The CM also gathered feedback from devotees about the arrangements.
Kedarnath is part of the four high-altitude Dhams in Uttarakhand, which include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These shrines are closed for about six months each year, opening in April or May and closing around October or November. The pilgrimage begins at Yamunotri, moves to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and ends at Badrinath.
This year, the Kedarnath site opened on April 25, and the Char Dham Yatra started on May 10, 17 days later than usual. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will close for the winter on November 3 at 8:30 AM. Last year, 56.13 lakh pilgrims visited during the Yatra, while 46.29 lakh came in 2022, and 34.77 lakh in 2019. The Yatra was affected by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, with only 3.30 lakh and 5.29 lakh pilgrims, respectively.
Doubts Revealed
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and religious sites.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state.
Pushkar Singh Dhami -: Pushkar Singh Dhami is the current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, responsible for the state’s administration.
Kedarnath Dham -: Kedarnath Dham is a famous Hindu temple located in the Himalayas, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Char Dham Yatra -: Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage to four sacred Hindu sites in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Disaster -: A disaster refers to a sudden event, like a natural calamity, that causes great damage or loss.
Pilgrimage -: A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place for religious reasons.
High-altitude Dhams -: High-altitude Dhams are religious sites located at high elevations in the mountains, like Kedarnath.
Pandemic -: A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease, like COVID-19, which affected travel and gatherings.
