Dehradun: On occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the opening of the gates of Gangotri Dham and Yamunotri Dham marking the formal commencement of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 on Sunday.
The Chief Minister said the portals of both shrines were opened with full religious rituals and traditions, signalling the beginning of this year’s Char Dham pilgrimage on X post.
He said,” Today on the sacred occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the gates of Shri Gangotri and Shri Yamunotri Dham will be opened for devotees with full rites and rituals. With this, the Char Dham Yatra-2026 is also being inaugurated.
समस्त प्रदेशवासियों एवं सनातन धर्मावलंबियों को आज से प्रारंभ हो रही पवित्र चारधाम यात्रा- 2026 की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
देवभूमि उत्तराखंड में आप सभी श्रद्धालुओं का हार्दिक स्वागत एवं अभिनंदन है। यात्रा के दौरान निर्धारित नियमों का पालन करें तथा पर्यावरण संरक्षण को ध्यान में रखते… pic.twitter.com/fVdRo3SF5Y— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) April 19, 2026
Dhami has informed that all arrangements have been made to ensure safe and well-organised yatra for the devotees. He also extended prayers on the auspicious occasion, expressing hope for the well-being of the devotees.
Earlier, the sacred palanquin which is also known as doli of Goddess Yamuna departed from Kharsali for Yamunotri Dham on Sunday morning as the Char Dham Yatra commenced today.
Likewise, the palanquin of Goddess Ganga was also departed from the ancient Bhairav Temple in Bhairavghati for Gnagotri Dham.
Officially the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath Dham, Gnagotri Dham, Yamunotri Dham and Badrinath Dham has begun today.
On April 22, the Kedarnath Dham portals will be opened for the pilgrims at 8:00 am. Meanwhile, the ceremonial idol (Utsav Doli) of Lord Kedarnath will depart from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath , following grand and traditional rituals. The Temple premises have been decked up with flowers and a large number of devotees.
As per the scheduled program, April 19, the Utsav doli of Lord Kedarnath will leave Ukhimath and reach Phata. On the following day i.e April 20, it will proceed from Phata to Gaurikund where it will halt for the night at the Gaurimai Temple.
In the next phase, on April 21, the Doli will depart from Gaurikund in the morning and reach the Temple treasury (Bhandar) at Kedarnatn Dham. Then finally, religious rituals at the shrine will formally commence thereafter, culminating in the opening of the temple doors to devotees on April 22 at 8:00 am.
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