By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 10 Oct: Sources in the government as well as in the BJP claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Char Dham shrines Kedarnath and Badrinath before the portals of these two shrines close for the winter. Sources claim that Modi is likely to visit the shrine between 21 and 23 October.
It may be recalled that the dates of closure of the portals of the Chardhams of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand have been already fixed and announced. This time, too, before the closure of Badrinath, Kedarnath Dham portals, once again Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reach both the Dhams to have darshan and offer prayers. Sources further claim that PM Modi might stay here overnight as he had done in 2019. After that, the Yatra had remained suspended or restricted due to Covid.
Though, no official confirmation has been made about the Prime Minister’s visit yet, the administration has started making preparations for his visit to both the shrines. In view of the Prime Minister’s expected visit, the security in Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham is being beefed up and other arrangements are also being chalked out.
In order to ensure that there is no lapse in the security during the visit of PM Modi, the leave of police personnel has been restricted.
After Deepawali, the portals of Kedarnath will be closed for winter at 8 a.m. on 27 October, on the day of Bhai Dooj. At the same time, the portals of Badrinath Dham will be closed on 19 November. Modi may also spend his Diwali on the borders with the armed forces in Uttarakhand this time.
In view of the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the administration and police have begun preparations in full swing. It is well known that Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines in great reverence and has visited these shrines to have darshan and offer prayers on multiple occasions. During the visit, he may also take physical stock of the reconstruction works underway at Kedarnath and Badrinath. He regularly monitors the progress of the redevelopment works at both these shrines on a virtual basis, too.
