Pak pilgrims on Char Dham Yatra gets warm welcome

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 29

A group of 146 pilgrims form Pakistan, which are on the Char Dham Yatra, were welcomed by Uttarkashi District Magistrate Deependar Chaudhry on their arrival in Uttarkashi town after their return from the Gangotri shrine today.

Chaudhry along with president of the Hotel Association Uttarkashi Ajai Puri welcome the Pakistani pilgrims amid beating of traditional drums and garlanded them. Local residents wished them a safe and sound journey to the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. The prilgrims had visited the Yamunotri shrine yesterday and were elated at the welcome accorded to them at Uttarkashi.

Emotionally charged Dharmdas Jaini from Shadani Darbar Sindh in Pakistan said around 146 pilgrims had come from Pakistan while around 80 are from India who are assisting them in the yatra. He thanked the district administration for the welcome and making their yatra safe.

Tarak Chand Keshwani, another cotton garment merchant from Pakistan, said for him it was a dream come true as they had offered prayers at the most revered shrines of Hindus. The District Magistrate wished the Pakistani pilgrims a safe and enjoyable yatra. Children and women accompanying the group, namely Devki Kumari, Rajkumari and Pooja Devi, were delighted to be on the Char Dham yatra.