Kedarnath Yatra Update: The Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended for today (May 3) in view of incessant snowfall, officials said on Tuesday (May 2). Kedarnath Dham is one of the four Dhams of the state. Orange alert has also been issued in the district. The district administration said that the registration of pilgrims for Kedarnath has also been suspended till May 3, 2023.
Rudraprayag District Magistrate (DM) Mayur Dixit said, “Due to inclement weather and snowfall in Kedarnath, the registration of pilgrims for Kedarnath has been stopped till tomorrow, May 3. The decision regarding registration will be taken keeping in view the weather conditions.” will be taken.”
Meanwhile, registration for Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham is being done only at the Yatri Registration Center at Rishikesh, said the District Magistrate.
The Meteorological Department on Monday (May 1) issued an alert for rain and snowfall in the higher Himalayan regions for the next 2-3 days. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said that an appeal has been made for the safety of the pilgrims coming to Kedarnath Dham.
Weather Update:
The MeT department had predicted similar weather for high altitude temples in Uttarakhand till May 4 and advised pilgrims, especially those headed for Kedarnath, to stay where they were and only after the weather improves Proceed on your onward journey.
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Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said on Tuesday, “Yatra to Kedarnath has been suspended till tomorrow for the safety of the pilgrims in view of the meteorological department’s warning of heavy rain and snowfall in some parts of the state.”
He said the pilgrims have been asked to wait at Gaurikund and Sonprayag till the weather improves and they can resume their journey. Pilgrims visiting Kedarnath and other Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand have been advised to exercise caution as inclement weather prevailed in the region on Tuesday, officials said.
Uttarakhand DGP on Kedarnath Yatra:
DGP Ashok Kumar visited Kedarnath to take stock of the situation and appealed to the pilgrims, especially heart patients, to take necessary precautions.
Kumar advised all pilgrims to be careful, citing low oxygen pressure at altitudes above 11,000 feet amid continuous snowfall. He said that those who have heart disease should bring their medicines with them so that they do not face any problem.
Snowfall continued in Kedarnath and it rained intermittently in Gangotri and Yamunotri on Tuesday. Uttarkashi Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said that pilgrims going to Gangotri and Yamunotri have been asked to be cautious even though their journey will remain unhindered.
When did the Kedarnath Yatra start:
Earlier on April 25, the day the doors of Kedarnath Dham opened, the Uttarakhand government had stopped accepting registration applications from pilgrims for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in view of heavy snowfall on the pilgrimage route and warnings of bad weather by the Meteorological Department.
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered temples in the country dedicated to Lord Shiva and people from all over the country visit the temple during the six months it is open. Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. This pilgrimage is a journey to four holy sites – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri – located high in the Himalayas.
(with inputs from agencies)
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