Darshan Kunwar
IN a move to boost winter tourism, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has decided to provide 25 per cent concession to winter Char Dham Yatra devotees staying in state Government- run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) guest houses and hotels.
The four major Char Dham destinations — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — are closed for winter, but the idols of the presiding deities continue to be worshipped at their winter abodes in Ukhimath, Jyotirmath (Joshimath), Mukhba and Kharsali, respectively.
At a high-level meeting chaired by CM Dhami, it was decided to ensure that road conditions are improved and all necessary facilities are made available to devotees and other visitors on their way to the Char Dham. “I have directed officials to ensure that adequate arrangements are made for their stay, fooding and medical care during emergency at different lodges”, said Dhami.
A large number of domestic and international tourists are expected to reach these places during winter season. “All out efforts are being made to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to them during pilgrimage”, said Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurvey. The decision to this effect was made two days after the Chief Minister flagged off the Uttarakhand’s winter pilgrimage by offering prayers at Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar temple in Rudraprayag district.
The Omkareshwar temple is known as Lord Shiva’s holy seat during the winter season. Doli of Lord Shiva was shifted to Omkareshwar temple from Kedarnath shrine after the closure of its holy portal on November 15.
