19K pilgrims at Char Dham shrines in winter: Officials

Over 19,000 pilgrims have visited the winter abodes of the Char Dham shrines - Pandukeshwar for Badrinath Dham, Ukhimath for Kedarnath Dham, Mukhba for Gangotri Dham and Kharsali for Yamunotri Dham - since the closure of the summer yatra on November 24 last year till Monday, officials aware of the matter said.

- HT Correspondent

MUSSOORIE:

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on December 8 last year inaugurated the winter Char Dham yatra at Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, as part of the government's decision to run and promote the pilgrimage at these winter abodes, they said.

After the portals of the Char Dham shrines were closed for the winter months, the deities of these shrines were moved in palanquins to the winter abodes at lower elevations at specific temples and shrines.

According to the daily pilgrim data issued by the state government on Sunday, 425 pilgrims reached Pandukeshwar for the darshan of Lord Badrinath, 229 went to Ukhimath for Lord Kedarnath, 21 arrived in Mukhba for goddess Ganga and 19 visited Kharsali for the darshan of goddess Yamuna.