Dehradun, 16 May (HS). The world famous Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand is the biggest journey of faith of Hindus. There is a mythological belief that by visiting Chardham Yatra one attains virtue and this religious journey has been going on for centuries. Every year, devotees from every corner of the country reach Uttarakhand for Chardham Yatra and make religious pilgrimage to Kedarnath Dham, the main place of Lord Shiva, Badrinath Dham, the place of Lord Vishnu, Gangotri and Yamunotri. This time Chardham Yatra has started from 10th May. So far, 27,92,679 registrations have been done by the enthusiastic devotees filled with Shakti-devotion regarding the Char Dham Yatra and around four lakh devotees have attended the Char Dham in a week.
Due to the increasing craze of Chardham Yatra, the Tourism Department and the government are hopeful that this time Chardham Yatra can break the record of last year. In the year 2023, more than 56 lakh devotees had visited the four Dhams. 'Hindusthan Samachar' is telling you in detail about the biggest religious journey of faith of Hindus, so that you can get answers to all your questions. In fact, so far this year the maximum number of registrations has been done for Kedarnath Dham. In just a week, 2792679 people have registered for Chardham Yatra. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed the officials associated with the Yatra to behave with decency and tolerance with the devotees. In such a situation, all departments are on alert mode. This time VIP and VVIP darshan will not be possible within 15 days of the start of Chardham Yatra.
Till now 3.98010 lakh devotees have bowed their heads
If we talk about darshan since the opening of doors till now, a total of 398010 devotees have offered obeisance at Char Dham. 183677 pilgrims have visited Shri Kedarnath Dham in just six days. Similarly, till now a total of 81151 pilgrims have visited Yamunotri Dham and 75314 pilgrims have visited Gangotri Dham. At the same time, 57868 pilgrims have visited Shri Badrinath Dham in just five days.
2792679 pilgrims have registered in a week
So far 2792679 pilgrims have registered for the Chardham Yatra which started from May 10. 439965 pilgrims have been registered for Yamunotri, 499268 for Gangotri, 936929 for Shri Kedarnath, 852606 for Shri Badrinath and 63911 pilgrims have been registered for Hemkund Sahib. 28,284 pilgrims have registered on Wednesday. Registration started from April 15.
Registration is necessary for Chardham Yatra
It is necessary for devotees to register for Chardham Yatra. Devotees can register through Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council's website, app, toll free number and WhatsApp. Like last time, this time there has been no provision to limit the number of pilgrims for any Dham. Devotees can register for Chardham Yatra through registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in website. Pilgrims can also register themselves through WhatsApp number 91-8394833833. You can also register through toll free number 0135 1364. Pilgrims can also register themselves through touristcareuttarakhand app. Devotees can also register for Chardham Yatra through landline numbers 0135-1364, 0135-2559898, 0135-2552627. Registration can also be done by sending a mail to touristcare.uttarakhand@gmail.com. If devotees give wrong information during registration, their registration will be cancelled.
Passengers should take 10 minutes rest every two hours, carry raincoat-umbrella and medicines.
For the pilgrims visiting Chardham, the Health Department has advised the devotees to take rest for five to 10 minutes after every one to two hours while climbing Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham on foot. Pilgrims should keep warm clothes with them and bring raincoat and umbrella for protection from rain. Also, pilgrims have been advised to carry pulse oximeter and thermometer. Devotees suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes should carry necessary medicines and doctor's number. If a traveler experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and vomiting during the pilgrimage, seek medical relief at the nearest primary health center or hospital. The Health Department has asked travelers to plan the Chardham Yatra for at least seven days.
Pandavas were the first to build Kedarnath Dham.
Kedarnath temple built on the peak named Kedar in Garhwal, Uttarakhand is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is considered a special abode of Lord Shiva. This temple has its own religious and mythological beliefs. The temple is situated between Nar and Narayan mountains. According to the legend, the great ascetic Nar and Narayan Rishi, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, used to perform penance on the Kedar peak of the Himalayas. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva appeared and, as per his prayer, granted him the boon to reside forever in the form of Jyotirlinga.
According to the legend, while the Pandavas were going to heaven after the Mahabharata, Lord Shiva appeared to them in the form of a buffalo, who later disappeared into the earth. Before completely sinking into the earth, Bhima caught hold of the buffalo's tail. The place where Bhima did this is currently known as Kedarnath Dham. It is said that this temple became extinct after the construction of Pandavas. In the eighth century, Adi Guru Shankaracharya rebuilt this temple of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple remained buried in snow for 400 years. Scientists also believe that there was a small ice age from the 13th to the 17th century, during which this temple remained buried in ice. Behind the Kedarnath temple is the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya. This temple was renovated by King Bhoj of Malwa in the 10th century and again in the 13th century.
Earlier Shiva's place was Badrinath, then Shri Hari demanded it.
This holy temple of Lord Vishnu is situated on the left side of the Alaknanda River in the lap of Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. This holy place is the penance of Nar and Narayan, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that a person who visits Badrinath does not have to come into his mother's womb again. The living being becomes free from the cycle of birth and death. Before Lord Vishnu, this place belonged to Shiva. Lord Vishnu liked this place for penance, so he assumed the form of a child and started crying, hearing which Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva themselves appeared before the child and asked what he wanted. Lord Vishnu in the form of a child asked Shiva for this place for meditation. The holy place where Lord Vishnu attained the place by changing his form from Shiva-Parvati is popularly known as Badrivishal. Badrinath Dham is at an altitude of 10200 feet above sea level. The base camp of the temple is Joshimath, where the very famous temple of Lord Nrisinga is located. The distance from Joshimath to Badrinath temple is about 45 kilometers.