Explainer: Char Dham Yatra begins, here’s all you should know

The Uttarakhand Government on Wednesday announced the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra with the ceremonial opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham in the Uttarkashi. Char Dham is one of revered pilgrimages in Hinduism which include visits to four shrines- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The portals of the Kedarnath temple will open on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4.

Significance

Located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand are four revered Hindu shrines — Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath which are collectively known as Char Dham. During the winter months, the gates of the shrines shut as heavy snowfall leaves them inaccessible. The deities of these temples are brought to shrines at lower altitudes — Mukhba in Uttarkashi is the winter seat of Gangotri Dham; Kharsali in Uttarkashi is the winter seat of Yamunotri Dham; Kedarnath’s winter abode is Omkareshwar Temple in Rudraprayag’s Ukhimath; and Badrinath’s is at Pandukeshwar in Chamoli.

Initiatives for connectivity

In 2016, the Centre announced its flagship initiative, Char Dham Project, Rs 12,000-crore highway expansion project to widen 889 km of hill roads to provide all-weather connectivity in the Char Dham circuit, covering four major shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Tough terrain

The four pilgrimages are situated at high altitudes in the Himalayan region. Pilgrims are affected by low temperature, low humidity, increased ultraviolet radiation, low air pressure, and low oxygen levels. The Uttarakhand government has also advised the tourists and pilgrims to take necessary precautions. In 2024, around 246 pilgrims lost their lives during the yatra. In 2023, over 230 pilgrims died.

Controversy

In 2018, the highway expansion project was challenged by an NGO for its potential impact on the Himalayan ecology due to felling trees and cutting hills. The Supreme Court formed a high-powered committee under environmentalist Ravi Chopra to examine the issues. The report flagged that the heavy traffic density would impede wildlife movement, especially snow leopard. Moreover, a wider road requires additional slope cutting, blasting, tunnelling all of which will further destabilise the Himalayan terrain, and increase vulnerability to landslides and flash floods.

Defence angle

While the project struggled to get clearances, it got support from the Ministry of Defence that moved an appeal before the Supreme Court seeking a double-lane road having a carriageway to meet strategic requirements of the Army. The project that was initially conceived to facilitate the Char Dham yatras found a strategic angle to it. The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that almost 75% of the awarded work of the Char Dham Project which goes up to the China border, was complete.

Silkyara tunnel project

The Silkyara Tunnel on the Yamunotri Highway is complete. A portion of the under-construction tunnel collapsed on November 12, 2023, trapping 41 construction workers inside. They were rescued after 17 days.