Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has reached out to Chief Secretaries across all states and Union Territories, expressing a request to refrain from VVIP darshan during the upcoming Chardham Yatra 2024, which is scheduled to kick off on May 10. The purpose behind this appeal is to streamline the pilgrimage experience for devotees, as the authorities gear up to host pilgrims and ensure a seamless yatra amidst an anticipated surge in visitors.
Amid preparations for the Chardham Yatra, an official statement highlighted the significance of making the pilgrimage convenient for all by advising dignitaries and state officials to avoid visiting the pilgrimage sites, known as the Dhams, between May 10 and May 25, 2024. The Chardham Yatra holds immense importance for devotees as it involves a spiritual journey to four holy destinations—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—following a clockwise route that starts from Yamunotri and concludes at Badrinath. These high-altitude shrines typically remain closed for about six months annually, only opening during the summer months to winter's onset, offering a limited window for pilgrims to embark on this religious trek.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recently conducted a tabletop exercise at the Secretariat auditorium in Dehradun to assess the preparedness for the Chardham Yatra. Additionally, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for the yatra, emphasizing the need for proper facilities such as electricity, drinking water, and well-maintained roads along the travel routes for pilgrims.