Winter Char Dham Yatra Gains Momentum In Uttarakhand, Attracts Record Pilgrims

Uttarakhand’s winter Char Dham Yatra is off to a strong start, as pilgrims flock to the winter seats of the four sacred shrines Omkareshwar Temple (Ukhimath), Narasimha Temple (Jyotirmath), Gangotri Temple (Mukhaba), and Yamunotri Temple (Kharsali). In a bid to boost religious tourism and enhance the state’s economy, the government has focused its efforts on promoting the winter pilgrimage season this year.

While the main Char Dham Yatra, which includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, lasts five to six months every year, the winter Char Dham offers a unique chance for devotees to visit the shrines at their alternate, colder locations. For instance, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath serves as the winter seat for Kedarnath, while Narasimha Temple in Jyotirmath is the winter abode for Badrinath. Mukhaba and Kharsali house the winter seats for the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, respectively.

Surge In Pilgrims: Over 15,000 Visitors By Year-End

The state government reported that by December 31, 15,341 pilgrims had visited the winter Char Dham shrines, indicating strong enthusiasm for the winter pilgrimage. A government press release highlighted that, by December 30, 15,314 devotees had participated in the yatra, with numbers steadily increasing.

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Among the winter Char Dham shrines, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath has attracted the highest number of visitors, with 6,482 devotees offering prayers to Baba Kedarnath. The temple is the winter seat for Kedarnath and serves as a significant stop for pilgrims during this time of year. In addition, 5,104 pilgrims visited the Badrinath shrine at Pandukeshwar, while 3,114 devotees made their way to Mukhaba to pray at Gangotri, and 614 visited Kharsali for Yamunotri.

Panch Kedar Winter Yatra: A Unique Religious Experience

The winter pilgrimage took a formal start with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s announcement of the Panch Kedar Winter Yatra on December 8 at Omkareshwar Temple. The local community has expressed happiness over the growing number of visitors, despite the harsh cold and occasional snowfall, which have not deterred the pilgrims.

As part of the winter yatra, the palanquin of Baba Kedarnath and Lord Madmaheshwar is placed at Omkareshwar Temple. Pilgrims continue to offer prayers for six months in this sacred location, maintaining the tradition of honoring the deities during the winter months. On Monday alone, 518 devotees visited Omkareshwar Temple, 364 visited Lord Badrivishal at Pandukeshwar, and smaller numbers of pilgrims visited Mukhaba and Kharsali.

State Government Ensures Seamless Pilgrimage Experience

To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, the Uttarakhand government has focused on improving infrastructure and ensuring a smooth yatra experience. The administration has made necessary arrangements for the comfort and safety of visitors, making sure that they can undertake the pilgrimage even during the harsh winter months.

With the winter Char Dham Yatra gaining popularity and steadily drawing more devotees, Uttarakhand’s religious tourism is poised for continued growth, making the state’s economy more robust and providing a much-needed boost to local communities during the winter season.