NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand’s Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has announced the extension of the ban on VIP darshan for the Char Dham Yatra until May 31, 2024. This decision aims to make it easier for all devotees to visit the four sacred sites, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, during the ongoing pilgrimage season.
In addition to the VIP darshan ban, the Chief Secretary has prohibited videography and the creation of social media reels within a 50-metre radius of the temple complexes in all four Dhams. This move addresses concerns about the inconvenience caused to devotees by the increasing number of people filming for social media.
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The Char Dham Yatra, which started on May 10, has already seen a significant increase in visitors. Within the first six days, over 334,732 pilgrims from India and abroad visited the shrines. Registration for the pilgrimage, which began on April 25, had seen more than 270,000 devotees sign up by Thursday evening.
The state government is implementing multiple measures to ensure a smooth and organized experience for the pilgrims. Devotees must register for the yatra through the official website, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, and can only visit the Dhams on their registered dates.
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To ensure safety and order, the directives have been shared with the Secretary of the Tourism Department, the Commissioner of the Garhwal Division, and the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in the concerned districts. These measures aim for immediate compliance and better management of the pilgrimage.
With this, senior citizens and those with medical conditions are advised to undergo medical examinations before embarking on the Char Dham Yatra. They should also follow the guidelines issued by the Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, available on the government’s official website.
This year’s Char Dham Yatra is being conducted smoothly, with arrangements made to ensure systematic darshan for all pilgrims.