New Delhi: The Char Dham pilgrimage has begun today with Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarakhand being opened to the public on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday. The doors of Kedarnath will open on Thursday, followed by those of Badrinath a day later. The Gangotri shrine will open today at 11.30 am and the Yamunotri at 1.15 pm.

Welcoming the pilgrims, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat wished them a successful pilgrimage to the four shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. "Uttarakhand is ready to welcome the pilgrims coming for the Chardham Yatra," Rawat said. The security and various other amenities for pilgrims will also be taken care of, he said.

The idol of goddess Ganga has been moved out of her winter abode in Mukhba to be reinstalled at her original abode in Gangotri, Gangotri Mandir Samiti president Suresh Semwal said. The idol of goddess Yamuna will leave Kharsali for the Yamunotri shrine on Tuesday morning, Yamunotri temple commitee president Kriteshwar Uniyal said.

Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said despite heavy snowfall in Kedarnath, efforts were being made on a war footing to put in place all arrangements before pilgrims begin arriving at the shrine. Around 3000 pilgrims can stay in Kedarnath together, Jawalkar said.

Char Dham pilgrimage, which attracts devotees from across the country and world, is considered the backbone of the economy of Garhwal Himalayas, where it is the main source of people's livelihood. The portals of the four Himalayan shrines in Uttarkhand are closed in October-November every year because of being snow and are reopened in April-May.

(With inputs from agencies)