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Uttarakhand Government halts Char Dham Yatra owing to bad weather

Uttarakhand Government halts Char Dham Yatra owing to bad weather

The Hindu2 days ago
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Thursday (July 3, 2025) that the State Government has decided to temporarily suspend the Char Dham Yatra owing to the bad weather conditions, noting that the safety of the pilgrims is the government's priority.
"Considering the weather, the Char Dham yatra has been temporarily halted. In the future, we will proceed with the yatra in accordance with the weather. When the yatra is safe, it will continue... Our priority during the yatra is the safety of all pilgrims... All our district officials, disaster management teams, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are fully prepared", CM Dhami told reporters on Thursday (July 3, 2025.)
'The Kedarnath Dham Yatra has been temporarily halted for now owing to falling debris and stones at the Munkatia Sliding Zone under the Sonprayag area in Uttarakhand,' police said on Thursday (July 3, 2025), adding that it will resume once the administration clears the road.
'The road is blocked due to debris and stones falling in the Munkatia Sliding Zone under the Sonprayag area. The Kedarnath Dham Yatra has been temporarily halted for now. The Yatra will resume once the road is cleared,' Rudraprayag police said in their X post.
Char Dham Yatra: Six, including five women, dead as helicopter ferrying pilgrims crashes in Uttarakhand
The annual Char Dham Yatra, which includes pilgrimages to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is one of the most significant religious journeys in Hinduism. The State Government has undertaken a series of infrastructure upgrades in recent years — including improved roads, helicopter services, and better accommodation — to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage experience for devotees.
This year, the Kedarnath Dham has seen an unprecedented inflow of pilgrims, which officials attribute to both improved facilities and increasing spiritual interest. Authorities have also deployed enhanced security and medical response teams to manage the high-altitude yatra effectively. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of more than 11,000 ft in the Himalayas and holds immense religious significance. The Kedarnath Yatra doors for the year 2025 were opened for devotees on May 2.
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