June 7: Uttarakhand state government is expected to resume the Char Dham Yatra as the pandemic subsides and the Covid curfew has been lifted. Referring to the news, Uttarakhand and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj has said that even though the plans are to open the Chardham Yatra in a ‘phased manner if the pandemic subsides’ in the coming weeks.
However, he also said that nothing has been finalised yet. According to the reports, the ongoing curfew is supposed to end on June 8 after which the restrictions will be lifted in a phased manner depending upon the prevailing situation.
Chardham Yatra comprises 4 Hindu shrines Badrinath in Chamoli district, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, while Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district.
Watch our previous news report where Uttarakhand Administration suspended the annual Chardham Yatra:
Also read: Char Dham Yatra suspended, Uttarakhand admn. makes arrangements for online darshan
These shrines will reopen depending upon the COVID situation. Other than this, it is being stated that the plans concerning the phased opening of the Chardham Yatra will only be possible if a decline in Covid cases is reported.
As per the reports, Satpal Maharaj met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat to discuss problems that the tourism industry is facing amid the ongoing second wave of Covid.
For the first phase opening, the yatra will open for the locals coming from Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts, where the temples are located. Further, if conditions remain under control, pilgrims from the other districts will likely be permitted to take part in the yatra in the second phase. Meanwhile, pilgrims from outside of the state will be allowed to visit the temples, however, with several restrictions during the third phase.
