Winter pilgrimage to Chardham begins

Dehra Dun, Mar 1 (PTI) Winter pilgrimage to the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, known as the Chardham, began today at Rishikesh near here. Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Madan Kaushik flagged off the pilgrims at Rishikesh near here as four buses left for the wintry sojourn at the famous Hindu shrines in Garhwal Himalayas, Chardham Development Council Vice Chairman Suratram Nautiyal said. The bussed left for Joshimath in Badrinath, Ukhimath in Kedarnath, Mukhba in Gangotri and Kharsali in Yamunotri respectively, he added. The Chardham yatra remains closed from October-November to April-May every year as the area remains snow-bound during the period and the deities are ceremoniously brought to their wintry sojourn where pilgrims can have their 'darshan'. As the number of pilgrims visiting the deities in winter is very less, the state government is trying to promote winter Chardham pilgrimage, Nautiyal said, adding that the winter pilgrimage would be organised every year. During yatra season from April-May to October-November every year, the chardhams attract lakhs of pilgrims from home and abroad, Nautiyal said.