India

Chaotic Scenes Unfold: Devotees Endure Hours-Long Wait on Hillside Path at Yamunotri

On Saturday, the opening of the Yamunotri temple doors for devotees as part of the revered Char Dham Yatra saw a massive surge of pilgrims, resulting in significant overcrowding along the hilly approach to Uttarakhand’s Yamunotri. This pilgrimage, which includes visits to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism.

Many pilgrims endured lengthy queues for hours, expressing frustration over what they perceived as inadequate safety measures and crowd control by the authorities. Some recounted waiting on the narrow path for more than two hours, highlighting the lack of assistance from officials and insufficient parking facilities, which exacerbated the situation.

Amid the chaos, one devotee shared their apprehension about safety, stating, “We somehow entered the temple premises but were not sure whether we would come out alive or not,” echoing concerns about the management of the large crowds.

The Char Dham Yatra commenced on Friday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, with the opening of the doors of Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Gangotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas. While Yamunotri and Kedarnath opened their doors at 7 am, Gangotri followed suit at 12.25 pm, drawing a significant number of devotees to witness the sacred event.

Also read: Kejriwal’s Warning to Yogi Adityanath: ‘Amit Shah to be PM’ as Opposition Faces Threat of Being ‘Disposed of’

Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the temple premises of Yamunotri, while approximately 10,000 devotees witnessed the opening of Kedarnath’s portals. Gangotri Dham, along with Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham, welcomed devotees after a hiatus during the winter season.

The Char Dham Yatra, revered for its spiritual significance in Hinduism, spans from April-May to October-November, attracting lakhs of devotees annually to these sacred sites. However, the recent overcrowding and logistical challenges highlight the pressing need for improved crowd management measures to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims undertaking this revered pilgrimage.

Kavya Bhatt

Recent Posts

PM Modi’s Gifts: A Glimpse Of India’s Cultural Heritage In Global Diplomacy

These gifts to world leaders reflect the diverse traditions, arts, and crafts of India, emphasizing…

3 hours ago

Dr Rajeshwar Singh Calls For Bold Goals To Make India A Global Power By 2047

Dr Singh stressed the importance of reaching a GDP of $15 trillion by 2047 to…

3 hours ago

Gautam Adani Faces Indictment In US: Legal Expert Vijay Aggarwal Dismisses Immediate Repercussions

Criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal weighed in on the charges against Adani. He believes the indictment…

3 hours ago

Adani Group Stocks Recover As Sensex nd Nifty Post Gains

After a major sell-off earlier in the week, Adani Group stocks, led by Ambuja Cements…

4 hours ago

Sensex Soars 1,961 Points, Nifty Gains 557 In Broad-Based Market Rally

A sharp rally in financial stocks and encouraging US labor market data fueled the uptrend.…

5 hours ago

PM Modi Engages In 31 Bilateral Meetings During Three-Nation Tour

PM Narendra Modi held 31 bilateral meetings and discussions during his visit to Nigeria, Brazil,…

5 hours ago