Badrinath temple opens, Char Dham yatra gathers pace

Dehradun: The portals of Badrinath Dham were opened to pilgrims at 6.15am on Thursday, marking the full commencement of the Char Dham yatra. The temple opened amid Vedic chants in the presence of over 15,000 devotees. With Badrinath, the fourth shrine, now open, the pilgrimage has gathered pace across the state.On the occasion, women from Maana and Baamani villages performed the traditional Jhumailo dance and Jaagars in the temple courtyard, while devotees offered prayers through bhajan-kirtan.Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a bhandara (free community feast) at the shrine and shared prasad with devotees. He also interacted with organisers and reviewed arrangements. Dhami performed the first Mahaabhishek puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered prayers at temples within the complex.He said the state govt has made extensive preparations for a safe and smooth yatra. “Arrangements have been strengthened at every level to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees,” Dhami said.The portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri were opened on April 19, and Kedarnath on April 22.