The late-night Char Dham Yatris are being prevented by Police in Srinagar itself due to the issues brought on by the snowfall in Kedarnath and Badrinath and the rains in the low-lying areas. Additionally, a plea is being made in an announcement to the passengers to stay in nearby cities. Checking posts have reportedly been set up close to NIT Uttarakhand and the Badrinath bus terminus, where Char Dham Yatris are being halted.
“In Srinagar Garhwal police have made checking points near NIT Uttarakhand and near Badrinath bus stand where Char Dham Yatris are being stopped and those who have online bookings for a night stay will be allowed to go towards Rudraprayag. But the passengers who have not booked the passes are being appealed to stay in Srinagar only,” said SHO Srinagar, Ravi Saini.
Ravi Saini said that there are adequate arrangements for staying in Srinagar, and the passengers will not face any kind of problem. “Passengers are being appealed to continue their journey when the weather clears up,” he added. According to Chamoli Police, debris coming from the hill near Bazpur within the Kotwali Chamoli area has also forced the closure of the Badrinath highway. Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, gave the faithful advice on Friday to schedule their pilgrimage only after passing all medical examinations, including the Covid-19 test. The state administration has drawn out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in several languages, according to the chief minister, and anybody making the journey this year must follow it.
The Char Dham Yatra has officially begun with the ceremonial opening of the portals of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath Dham, the four holiest places in the nation.
The state police have also mobilised actions to provide all assistance to the pilgrims and aid them in reaching the holy locations as the yatra has begun. On Thursday morning, the first puja was held in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the gates of Badrinath Dham opened for pilgrims. The portals of Badrinath Dham opened amid chants of Vedic shlokas (hymns). Thousands of devotees were present to witness the ceremonial opening of the holy shrine. The process of opening the doors started at 4 am on Thursday. Kuber-ji, Shri Uddav-ji and Gadu Ghada were brought into the temple premises from the south gate, informed officials.
