The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on Wednesday, April 30, with the ceremonial opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham portals in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The sacred pilgrimage, deeply embedded in Sanatan Hindu tradition, marks a spiritually significant journey through the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Ritual Openings on Akshaya Tritiya
Coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the palanquins of Maa Ganga and Maa Yamuna arrived at their respective temples from their winter abodes in Mukba and Kharsali. Traditional Vedic chants and rituals marked the ceremonial openings.
The Gangotri temple doors opened at 10:30 AM, following an overnight halt of the deity’s palanquin at Bhairav Temple in Bhairavghati. Meanwhile, Yamunotri Dham welcomed devotees at 11:55 AM.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most revered pilgrimages in India, drawing thousands of devotees each year. It follows a sacred clockwise route starting from Yamunotri, then to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath—each shrine symbolizing a divine presence and serving as a gateway to spiritual salvation.
Tirtha Purohit Rajesh Semwal confirmed that all rituals were performed in accordance with age-old traditions. The processions were accompanied by local devotees and priests, invoking divine blessings for a safe and fruitful Yatra season.
Kedarnath and Badrinath Next
The portals of Kedarnath Dham will open on Friday, followed by Badrinath Dham on Sunday. The revered Panchmukhi idol of Lord Kedarnath was ceremonially sent off from the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on Monday, accompanied by special prayers.
Chief Minister’s Message to Pilgrims
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended heartfelt greetings to all pilgrims. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will be formally opened for the devotees. Char Dham Yatra – 2025 is starting today. This holy journey is a symbol of faith, devotion, and the invaluable sentiments of Sanatan culture.”
He added, “On behalf of the state government, all the devotees are welcomed. We pray that with the blessings of Maa Yamuna and Maa Ganga, all lives be filled with positivity and prosperity.”
Essential Information for Pilgrims
Authorities have deployed medical teams, security forces, and logistical support along the Yatra routes. Special attention is being paid to weather conditions and pilgrim safety. All travelers are encouraged to register through the official Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra portal.
On the occasion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended greetings to devotees.
Taking to X, he posted, “Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will be formally opened for the devotees to visit. Char Dham Yatra – 2025 is going to start from today, this holy journey is a symbol of a unique confluence of faith, devotion and invaluable sentiments of Sanatan culture.”
“On behalf of the state government, all the devotees are welcomed and greeted for the Char Dham Yatra. It is our prayer that with the blessings of Maa Yamuna and Maa Ganga, may the life of all the devotees be blessed,” he added.
The portals of Kedarnath Dham will open on Friday, followed by the opening of Badrinath Dham on Sunday.
The Panchmukhi idol of Lord Kedarnath was ceremonially dispatched from Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on Monday after special prayers.
The Char Dham Yatra, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in India, attracts thousands of devotees annually.
The journey follows a clockwise route through Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, each site holding immense religious significance in Sanatan tradition.
Conclusion
The opening of the Char Dham shrines heralds the start of a deeply spiritual journey through the Himalayas. As the portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath prepare to open in the coming days, devotees from across the country are uniting in celebration, prayer, and devotion for this sacred pilgrimage of a lifetime.
Stay tuned for updates on Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham as the Char Dham Yatra 2025 continues to unfold.
