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, Amit Shah Mourn Passing of Dr K Kasturirangan; Hail His Contributions To Science & Education

PM Modi and Amit Shah mourn the passing of Dr K Kasturirangan, praising his leadership…

1 hour ago

Rahul Gandhi Meets Pahalgam Terror Victims In Kashmir; Supports Govt’s Action Against Attackers

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Kashmir on Friday and met civilians injured in the…

1 hour ago

Amit Shah Directs Chief Ministers To Identify Pakistani Nationals; India Suspends Indus Water Treaty

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday urged Chief Ministers to identify and promptly deport…

2 hours ago

Adani Sportsline Launches Basketball Summer Camp 2025 In Ahmedabad

Adani Sportsline has announced its 2025 Basketball Summer Camp, set for 1-31 May at Sabarmati…

3 hours ago

Jammu & Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha Directs Army To Strengthen Efforts After Pahalgam Terror Attack

LG Manoj Sinha has directed Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to take swift action against…

3 hours ago

Supreme Court Rebukes Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks On Savarkar

The Supreme Court on Friday sharply criticised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha,…

4 hours ago