Author: Vikram Rautela and Rishikesh
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: March 2, 2011
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/321416/Now-yr-round-Char-Dham-Yatra.html
Now you don't have to wait till summer to
get an audience from God in his heavenly abode. In an effort to promote religious
tourism in the State, the Uttarakhand Government on Tuesday inaugurated the
winter programme of Char Dham Yatra, making it possible for the pilgrims to
visit the alternative sites were the deities of Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath
and Badrinath are placed during winter.
"This is for the first time that the
holy Char Dham Yatra is being conducted in winter. Since the four shrines
remain closed during winter, we have arranged for the pilgrims to visit the
alternative sites, -Kharsali (Khushimath), Mukhba (Mukhimath), Ukhimath and
Pandukeshwar-, were the deities are placed during winters," State Tourism
Minister Madan Kaushik, said, while addressing a gathering in Rishikesh.
The first winter Char Dham Yatra began amid
excitement and heavy deployment of State police personnel. Kaushik flagged
off four buses carrying more than 50 pilgrims raising slogans in the praise
of their deities. The buses started from the joint rotation bus stand here
and shall reach their respective destinations on Wednesday.
The traditional Char Dham Yatra in the State
is normally conducted between May and November, when the four holy shrines
remain open. In winter, however, the shrines are closed and their deities
are shifted to Kharsali, Mukhba, Ukhimath and Pandukeshwar respectively.
"By conducting Char Dham Yatra in winter,
we are not going against any tradition. We are taking pilgrims to places where
Gods are placed during winter. The move will not only reduce the traffic in
the peak season, but also boast overall economy of the State and open more
employment opportunities here," Chardham Development Board vice-president
Surat Ram Nautiyal said.
"During winter, the hilly regions have
pleasant climate and there are no road blockades. We are sure that the move
will gradually attract more national and international tourists and promote
eco-tourism in the State," Nautiyal added.
