Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU
The portals of the Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines open for the pilgrims on Wednesday. With these two portal opening Char dham yatra for this season has begun. The portals of Yamunotri were opened at 12.15 pm and that of the Gangotri temple at 1.15 pm, an opportune time decided by the pandits in advance, according to the Hindu panchang. Remaining two portal Kedarnath and Badrinath will open on April 29 and April 30 respectively.
The traditional ritual began after the idols of Goddesses Yamunotri and Gangotri were brought in palanquins by the villagers where they are worshipped during their winter sojourn. On the arrival of the deities, the pandits recited vedic hymns and performed elaborate rituals inside the temple.
A large number of pilgrims were present to welcome the deities representing Ma Ganga. The Local MLA from Yamunotri Kedar Singh Rawat welcomed the pilgrims and made a donation of Rs five lakh for the office of temple committee. “In 2016 and 2017 we had good turnout of pilgrims and were are hopeful that the turnout would be good for this yatra too,” said Jagmohan Uniyal, vice president of temple committee (Yamunotri).
Gangotri MLA Gopal Singh Rawat along with several pilgrims was present to welcome the palanquin carrying the idol of Gangotri as it arrived at Gangotri dham from Bhairav Ghati.
The remaining two out of the four sacred shrines Kedarnath and Badrinath will re-open on April 29 and April 30, respectively.
