Heavy Snowfall halts Kedarnath yatra till April 30
Due to recent rain and snowfall in Kedarnath, the registration process for the holy shrine has been halted in Rishikesh and Haridwar till April 30, officials announced on Sunday.
In a statement to the news agency PTI, the Additional Commissioner (Administration) of Garhwal Division as well as the Additional Chief Executive Officer of Chardham Yatra Administration Organisation, Narendra Singh Kaviriyal, stated, “Given the bad weather and heavy snowfall, pilgrim registration for the Kedarnath yatra has been suspended in Rishikesh and Haridwar until April 30.”
He stated that the administration would analyse the weather conditions and decide for the best benefit of the devotees.
The Uttarakhand government issued a pilgrimage alert on Sunday, requesting pilgrims to take precautions and start their yatra to the weather conditions.
“It should be noted that intermittent rain and snowfall continue in Kedarnath Dham.” The government has advised all devotees visiting Kedarnath Dham from the country and overseas to “check the weather forecast before going to Kedarnath Dham and to bring enough warm clothes,” according to news agency ANI, quoting government authorities.
In an interview with ANI, Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar stated, “There was heavy snowfall in Kedarnath Dham yesterday.” Pilgrims are asked to be attentive and start their yatra by checking the weather.”
The Char Dham yatra commenced on Saturday, Akshay Tritiya, with the inauguration of the Gangotri and Yamunotri portals. The Kedarnath temple’s doors will open to worshippers on April 25, while the Badrinath temple will open on April 27.
According to organisers, over 16 lakh pilgrims from India and overseas have registered for the Char Dham pilgrimage.
According to the newspaper, Health Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar stated that the state health department had adequately prepared to welcome pilgrims to the holy places and urged devotees to properly care for their health throughout the yatra.
“For the journey, guidelines and standard operating procedures have been developed. Travellers are advised to acclimatise their bodies to the mountain weather during the voyage. If you are having problems, rest and then travel,” he advised.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also stated that online and offline pilgrim registration will continue to keep track of pilgrim numbers and crowd management.
According to the health secretary, the government is focusing this time on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route.
The Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand is one of India’s most prominent Hindu pilgrimages. It is a journey across four sacred sanctuaries in the Himalayas: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
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