Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has worked out a plan to begin the winter yatra season to pave the way for the arrival of the pilgrims to offer their prayers at the winter seats of the four shrines- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
While the winter seat of Baba Kedarnath is Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, people offer prayer to Badrinath at his winter seat at Narasimha temple, Jyotirmath, which is also referred to as Joshimath. The winter seat of Goddess Ganga is her maternal home Mukhaba, near the famous tourist spot Harshil. The winter abode of Goddess Yamuna is Kharsali.
Char Dham Yatra currently runs for a period of four to six months
Currently, the Char Dham Yatra, which is a major source of livelihood for the locals in the hills, continues for a period of four to six months in the hill state. The government wants to expand the Char Dham Yatra for the whole year by attracting pilgrims to the winter seats of the four shrines. The state government has already undertaken several steps in this direction. The state government is now paying attention to ensure availability of proper facilities for the pilgrims who arrive at the winter seats for offering their prayers in future.
CM Dhami said that pilgrims will have opportunity to see the Himalaya as well as the sun during winter in the state
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has already made it clear that his government will give its top priority to provide the facilities to pilgrims at the winter seats of the four shrines. His plea is that the sun is not visible in the country’s different parts due to the fog. If pilgrims arrive in Uttarakhand, they will have the opportunity to see not only the Himalayas, but also the sun.
CM and ministers will stay during nights at four winter seats
The government has planned to invite pilgrims to offer their prayers to the four shrines during the winter season. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and all the ministers will soon start staying during the nights at the winter seats of the four shrines. BJP’s functionaries will also be asked to spend nights at the winter seats of the four shrines to attract pilgrims.
