News Brief
Char Dham Yatra: Amid Surge In Number Of Pilgrims, Uttarakhand Government Extends Ban On 'VIP Darshan' Till 31 May
Shri Kedarnath Dham (Pic Via Twitter)
Amid the rise in the number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dham Yatra, the Uttarakhand government has announced an extension of the ban on "VIP Darshan" till 31 May.
This decision aims to enhance the management and experience of the pilgrimage for all devotees.
Uttarakhand chief secretary Radha Raturi communicated this decision in a letter addressed to all Chief Secretaries of the states.
She stated, "I would like to inform that this year, there is a continuous surge in the number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Char Dham in Uttarakhand. For better management, we have decided not to have any 'VIP Darshan' till May 31, 2024."
To further streamline the process, the Uttarakhand government has implemented a mandatory registration system for the Char Dham Yatra.
"Registration is mandatory and devotees must register for the Chardham Yatra 2024 on https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/. Darshan at the Dhams shall be allowed only to the devotees on the date for which they have registered," the letter detailed.
These individuals are advised to undergo a medical examination before embarking on the Yatra and to follow the health guidelines provided by the State government's Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare.
Since the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra on 10 May, over 2.6 million devotees from across India and abroad have registered for the pilgrimage.
The Yatra, which holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism, typically takes place from April-May to October-November.
The Char Dham Yatra involves visiting four sacred sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations.
