Char Dham yatra begins

Dehradun, Apr 19 (UNI) With the opening of the 'kapats' (doors) of Yamunotri and Gangotri temples, the much awaited Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand began today.

The doors of other two shrines--Kedarnath will open on April 30 and that of Badrinath Shrine on May 1.

Yamunotri shrine opened at 1130 hrs amid vedic mantra recitation.The statue of Yamunotri was brought from Yamunapuri and restablished at the temple today.

The doors of Gangotri shrine also opened for the summer season at 1400 hrs amid vedic riutals. The functions at both the shrines were attended by thousands of devotees, government officials, public representatives and temple pujaris. Security was also tightened in both the shrines.

Yamunotri Shrine is the western most shrine of the Himalayas dedicated to Goddess Yamuna perched atop a flank of Bandarpunch (Monkey tail) peak at a height of 3165 mts. It is situated opposite the Gangotri. Yamunotri or Yamuna 'utri' is the source of sacred Yamuna river which originates from Champasar glacier lying 1 km ahead of the shrine, at an altitude of 4142 mts.

Pilgrims do not visit the source as it is not easily accessible.The original Yamunotri temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. The present temple is of recent origin, as past constructions have been destroyed.

Gangotri shrine is dedicated to Goddess Ganga Perched at a height of 3.042 mts on the right banks of the Bhagirathi river. It is erected near a sacred stone, called Bhagiratha Shila. King Bhagiratha is said to have sat here to worship Shiva, so Lord Shiva would take the Ganges on his head. it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa.

All the four shrines are closed for the winter season and reponend for summer today after a six months gap.

UNI