The Uttarakhand government has started something called the "winter Char Dham yatra" to encourage tourism even during the winter months when the usual pilgrimage sites are covered in snow.
Here's a simple explanation:
What is the Char Dham? It's a pilgrimage to four holy sites in Uttarakhand: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These are very important places for Hindus.
The Problem: These sites are usually inaccessible during winter (from late November to early May) because of heavy snowfall.
The Solution: Winter Char Dham: The government is now promoting visits to the "winter seats" of the deities. These are places at lower altitudes where the religious idols are moved during the winter.
Gangotri's winter home is in Mukhba.
Yamunotri's winter home is in Kharsali.
Kedarnath's winter home is at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
Badrinath's winter home is in Pandukeshwar.
Why are they doing this? The Char Dham yatra is very important for Uttarakhand's economy. In 2024, it brought in a lot of money. However, very few people visit during the winter. The winter Char Dham aims to bring in more tourists and boost the economy during the off-season.
Concerns:
Environmental impact: Some people are worried that more visitors, even in winter, could damage the environment around these holy sites.
Safety: There are also concerns about the safety and health of visitors in the harsh winter conditions.
Why is the Char Dham important in Hinduism? These sites were established by a very important religious figure named Adi Shankaracharya. Each site is connected to different Hindu gods and stories.
In simple terms: Uttarakhand is trying to encourage tourism to its holy sites even in winter by promoting visits to the places where the religious idols are moved during the snowy months. This is to boost the economy, but there are concerns about the environmental impact and the safety of visitors. The Char Dham sites are very important in Hinduism and are connected to various gods and stories.