Dehradun (Uttarakhand): The Chardham Yatra will have a lacklustre opening for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri will open on Friday and Saturday respectively without any pilgrims in attendance.
Located in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, all the four temples also called Char Dham, have been kept out of bounds for devotees as a precautionary measure in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Not more than 25 people each, including priests, teerth purohits and district administration officials, will attend the opening ceremonies at Yamunotri and Gangotri which will be low-key affairs, Gangotri Mandir Samiti official Rajesh Semwal said.
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Last year also they had reopened after their closure in winters only so that the priests could conduct regular prayers.
The portals of Yamunotri Dham will open at around 12 pm on Friday on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, whereas those of Gangotri will open at 07.31 am on Saturday, Semwal said.
All arrangements have been made as per guidelines of the state government for opening the portals of the two temples, District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit said.
The SOP issued by the state government for opening the temples will be strictly followed, he said. Not even locals, including residents of adjoining villages, will have entry to the Himalayan temples, he added.