Uttarakhand: Amarnath Yatra Likely To Be Paused As Kedarnath, Badrinath Get Heavy Snowfall

DGP Ashok Kumar said, "the yatra might be halted in between depending on the weather conditions."

Due to heavy snowfall in Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham, the yatra might be halted in between depending on the weather conditions, said Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar, reported news agency ANI. "There was snowfall again in Kedarnath today. Badrinath has also received some snowfall. There is a weather alert for Badrinath and Kedarnath till May 1. The yatra might be halted in between depending on the weather conditions," said DGP.

 

Kedarnath Shrine Opens Amid Inclement Weather

The portals of Kedarnath shrine opened after a winter time of year break on Tuesday morning, with many travelers conquering freezing temperatures in the snow-shrouded town to offer prayers at the Himalayan temple.

 

Temple chief priest Rawal Bhima Shankar Ling opened the doors of the temple in the midst of customs and reciting of shlokas.

 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who offered prayers at the temple, said, "The first 'puja' was done on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose leadership a grand Kedarpuri has been built".

 

He told reporters that the journey to Kedarnath is currently a little difficult because of the bad weather, but as the weather improves, it will become smooth in a few days.

 

Nonetheless, the chief minister advised pilgrims en route to the temple to continue only after updating themselves about the climate so that they do not face any problem.

 

"The state government is working consistently to improve the facilities in Kedarnath and make the pilgrimage safer and easier for devotees. It will soon be linked with a ropeway whose foundation stone was laid by the prime minister last year," he said.

 

BJP MLA from Kedarnath, Shailarani Rawat and Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman Ajendra Ajay accompanied the CM to the holy place.

 

During the event, a helicopter poured petals all over the pilgrims.

 

With the MeT division anticipating inclement weather nearby over the course of the following couple of days, devotees still on their way to the sanctuary have been encouraged to remain for the present at the primary stops in Rishikesh, Bhadrakali and Vyasi.

 

Situated at a level of over 11,000 feet above sea level, the Kedarnath shrine committed to Lord Shiva is essential for the Char Dham and the 11th Jyotirlinga. The three other "dhams" in the Garhwal Himalayas are Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, all of which are above 10,000 feet in the Himalayas.