CHAR DHAM YATRA - ART AND CULTURE

News: Amid Joshimath crisis, Uttarakhand starts preparations for Char Dham yatra

 

What's in the news?

       Days after fresh cracks were found on the Joshimath -Badrinath highway, the Uttarakhand administration has started making preparations for pilgrims to make their way to Badrinath as part of this year’s Char Dham Yatra beginning on April 22, saying that a disaster management control room will be set up in the sinking town of Joshimath.

       Joshimath residents group opposes plans to hold the yatra, claiming that the government is not taking the sinking crisis seriously, and expressing concerns about effective rehabilitation.

 

Chardham Pilgrimage:

       The Char Dham means the four dhams is a set of four pilgrimage sites such as Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath which is very auspicious in the Hindu belief.

       Yamunotri – This Shrine is dedicated to River Yamuna.

       Gangotri – This shrine is dedicated to goddess Ganges.

       Kedarnath – This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Kedar.

       Badrinath – This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Badrinath.

       In the Hindu sect, it is believed that a person visiting all the four sites will attain Moksha (Salvation).

       The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for the Chardham Project.