Chardham Yatra begins, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines open; first puja performed in PM Modi's name.

News Topical, Digital Desk : The sacred Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand officially commenced today (April 20). On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines were opened for devotees. The entire shrine was immersed in a devotional atmosphere, with Vedic chants, religious rituals, and thunderous chants of "Har Har Gange" and "Jai Maa Yamuna."

On this auspicious occasion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally attended the historic opening of the Gangotri shrine. The doors of the Gangotri temple opened at 12:15 p.m., as scheduled. Thousands of devotees gathered in the temple complex and were immersed in devotion. Immediately after the doors opened, devotees were welcomed with a shower of flowers from a helicopter, adding to the divine atmosphere.

The doli reached the pilgrimage site following traditional rituals.

A day before the opening of the doors, the festive palanquin of Mother Ganga departed for Gangotri Dham after special prayers at Bhairav ​​Valley. The palanquin arrived at the shrine following traditional rituals, after which the temple doors were opened with due ceremony. Following the opening of the doors at Gangotri Dham, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed the first puja in the name of Narendra Modi , praying for happiness, prosperity, and peace in the country and the world. At Yamunotri Dham, officials performed the first puja in the name of the Chief Minister.

The army and various social organizations organized a feast.

Local traditions were observed with devotion on this occasion. As usual, villagers from Sukki village in the Harshil Valley prepared and presented the "Kalyo" to the Gangotri Temple Committee. A large number of villagers, accompanied by Devdolis from various villages, arrived to bathe in the Ganga and participate in religious rituals. For the convenience of pilgrims, the Army and various social organizations organized a community feast. Medical camps were also set up to check the health of pilgrims. Other organizations, including the Vivekananda Foundation, also contributed to this effort.

The doors of the temple were opened with the chanting of Vedic mantras.

Temple committee secretary Suresh Semwal stated that after Ganga worship, Ganga Sahasranaam recitation, and special prayers, the doors were opened with Vedic chanting. He added that on the very first day, thousands of devotees reached Gangotri Dham and earned the blessings of seeing and worshipping Mother Ganga. With the commencement of the Chardham Yatra, Uttarakhand is witnessing a remarkable confluence of faith, tradition, and enthusiasm. Millions of devotees from India and abroad are expected to arrive in the coming days, for which the administration has made extensive preparations.

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