By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 31 Dec: The government has claimed that the winter Char Dham Yatra has witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 15,000 devotees visiting the winter abodes of Char Dham Deities as on 30 December. According to official figures, 15,314 pilgrims have participated in the Yatra despite the prevalent cold weather and snowfall.
The Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the winter abode of Baba Kedarnath, has attracted the highest number of devotees at 6,482. Following this, Pandukeshwar, the winter seat of Lord Badri Vishal, received 5,104 devotees. Additionally, 3,114 devotees paid homage to Mother Ganga at Mukhba, the winter abode of Gangotri Dham, while 614 devotees visited Mother Yamuna at Kharsali, the winter seat of Yamunotri Dham.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had inaugurated the Panch Kedar Winter Yatra on 8 December at the Omkareshwar Temple. The winter season marks the relocation of the palanquins of Baba Kedar and Lord Madmaheshwar to Omkareshwar Temple, where they are worshipped for six months during the winter and till the portals of the Kedar Dham and Lord Madmaheshwer open for the summer season. Despite the harsh weather, the Yatra has seen enthusiastic participation, with hundreds of devotees visiting daily.
Yesterday alone, 518 pilgrims offered prayers to Baba Kedar at Omkareshwar Temple, 364 devotees visited Lord Badri Vishal at Pandukeshwar, while 18 and 8 pilgrims offered their prayers at Mukhba and Kharsali to Goddess Ganga and Goddess Yamuna, respectively.
The government has claimed that comprehensive arrangements have been ensured for the devotees, including robust measures to protect them from the cold and provide a seamless pilgrimage experience. The successful turnout reflects the enduring spiritual connection of devotees with the sacred sites of Uttarakhand.
