First batch of pilgrims leaves from Rishikesh for Chardham Yatra
Dehradun. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will be opened for the devotees at 7 am on Friday morning on the auspicious day. The temple is decorated with twenty quintals of flowers. By late evening, more than 16 thousand devotees have reached Kedarnath while the movement of devotees is still going on on the footpath. At the same time, CM Dhami will also be present in the Dham on the occasion of opening of doors.
On Thursday, at seven in the morning, special worship of Lord Kedarnath was done at Maa Gauri Mai temple in Gaurikund. Priest Shiv Shankar Ling anointed Baba Kedar and performed Aarti with Mother Gauri.
At 8.47 in the morning, amid the tunes of the army band and the cheers of the devotees, Baba Kedar’s Panchmukhi Chal Utsav Vigraha Doli left for its destination. Via Cheerbasa, Jangalchatti, Bhimbali, Rambada, Linchauli, Chhani Camp, Baba Kedar’s Doli reached its destination in the afternoon. Reached Dham. Here, the flow of devotees is still continuing on the foot route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. In such a situation, a large number of devotees are expected to arrive on the occasion of opening of doors.
At the same time, 6,778 pilgrims left for Chardham Yatra in 227 buses. Cabinet Minister Premchand Aggarwal from ISBT, Chakrata MLA Pritam Singh, outgoing Mayor Anita Mamgain, Mata Mangala, Bhole Maharaj, Mahant Sunil Bhagat of Swami Narayan Ashram flagged off 11 buses.
In the program organized at ISBT, Cabinet Minister Premchand Aggarwal said that earlier the journey used to be difficult, but now with the improvement of all-weather road and other roads, the journey has become easier. He said that Kedarpuri has been beautified by the Central Government. Now facilities are being developed in Badrinath also. He said that talks have been held with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to increase the slots for registration.
Mata Mangala said that Hans Foundation is arranging Bhandara at many places for the convenience of the pilgrims. Hans Foundation is running 12 hospitals in collaboration with Vivekananda Hospital. He appealed to the drivers to drive their vehicles at controlled speed. Blankets, jackets and umbrellas were presented to 10 bus drivers in the program. Rotation traffic in-charge Naveen Tiwari said that 6,778 pilgrims have left for Chardham in 227 buses from Rishikesh and Haridwar.
