PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj has urged all pilgrims and officials to uphold the tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava during the Char Dham Yatra with more than 23 lakh people registering for the pilgrimage so far. He made this appeal as the portals of Badrinath Dham opened with Vedic rituals, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage on Sunday.
Maharaj extended his greetings to followers of Sanatan Dharma on the occasion of the opening of portals at Badrinath, along with the earlier openings at Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath. He also congratulated Hemant Dwivedi on being appointed the chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and Rishi Prasad Sati and Vijay Kaparwan on their appointments as vice chairmen of the committee.
Addressing the pilgrims, Maharaj advised them to consult a doctor before beginning their journey and to prepare according to their health condition. He said that pilgrims should carry essential medicines and equipment, especially for high-altitude conditions where oxygen levels are low. He also asked all travellers to carry valid identification and travel permits, and to follow government-issued guidelines and instructions throughout the Yatra.
The minister further called upon the police and local administration to ensure smooth management of the pilgrimage and maintain hospitality for the incoming devotees. He informed that since the registration for the Char Dham Yatra began on April 30, a total of 24,37,444 pilgrims have registered. So far, around 1.5 lakh pilgrims have visited the Dhams. The minister also stated that from February till date, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) has recorded bookings worth more than Rs 11.84 crore for its guesthouses through online and offline modes.
