Uttarakhand: Over 23,000 devotees visit Yamunotri, Gangotri shrines despite adverse weather

Despite unpredictable weather and afternoon rainfall, over 23,000 pilgrims visited the Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines in Uttarkashi district, officials said on Sunday. A total of 11,066 devotees offered prayers at Yamunotri Dham, while 12,075 pilgrims visited Gangotri Dham on Saturday. Officials said the temple management committee is providing bhog to pilgrims and free meals to seers at the shrine.

Despite unpredictable weather and afternoon rainfall, over 23,000 pilgrims visited the Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines in Uttarkashi district, officials said on Sunday. A total of 11,066 devotees offered prayers at Yamunotri Dham, while 12,075 pilgrims visited Gangotri Dham on Saturday. The portals of both the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples reopened for devotees on April 19, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, marking the start of the annual Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand after a six-month winter break. Uttarkashi has witnessed fluctuating weather patterns recently. Heavy rains and thunderstorms frequently occur during afternoon hours, causing slippery conditions on the Yamunotri trekking route. According to the officials, devotees continue their journey through these adverse conditions. Tourism Department records show 4,325 children visited Yamunotri with their families in the first 20 days of the pilgrimage. Total arrivals at Yamunotri Dham have crossed 1.56 lakh, while Gangotri Dham has recorded a total footfall of 1.55 lakh. The combined footfall for both shrines reached 3,11,365 by the end of the day. Officials said the temple management committee is providing 'bhog' to pilgrims and free meals to seers at the shrine. ''The weather remains conducive for the pilgrimage at present. The administration is extending full cooperation to the temple committee to ensure smooth arrangements,'' the committee's joint secretary, Gaurav Uniyal, said.