The portals of Badrinath Temple were opened to devotees at 6:15 AM on Thursday amid traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic mantras, marking the formal commencement of the 2026 Char Dham Yatra.
The temple premises was decorated with flowers, and a deeply spiritual atmosphere prevailed as chants of “Jai Badri Vishal” echoed through the Himalayan shrine. Thousands of devotees gathered at the site, many queuing overnight to witness the auspicious opening and seek early ‘darshan’ of Lord Badri Vishal.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present on the occasion and offered special prayers at the temple. He performed the first ‘puja’ in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praying for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the people.
In a post on X, CM Dhami said, “I bow to Sri Badrinath, the bestower of the four aims of life, the Lord of lords, the Master of the universe, who has made his abode in Bhumi-Vaikuntha.”
“On the auspicious occasion of the opening of the gates of Shri Badrinath Dham, the sacred land of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu, I was fortunate to be present. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, this divine abode is a living symbol of the unwavering faith of millions of devotees, eternal traditions, and spiritual consciousness. On this sacred occasion, otherworldly devotion, divine energy, and an extraordinary spiritual experience filled the heart with profound emotion,” he added.
The sacred Char Dham Yatra has now formally commenced with the opening of the portals of Badrinath Dham.
“Ensuring a safe, well-organized, and seamless pilgrimage experience for all devotees arriving from across the country and abroad in the divine land of Uttarakhand remains the topmost priority of our government,” said Dhami.
The Uttarakhand CM also interacted with pilgrims and locals, urging everyone to follow guidelines to ensure a safe and well-organised pilgrimage. He emphasised the importance of maintaining environmental sustainability and called for a plastic-free, green yatra.
The portals of other three dhams – Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath Dham were opened on April 19 and April 22 respectively. The Chief Minister had also visited Kedarnath on Tuesday, where he performed rituals and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing a seamless pilgrimage experience.
Devotees expressed joy and devotion as the temple gates opened, with many describing the experience as deeply fulfilling. The ceremony was further enhanced by the presence of an Army band, adding to the sanctity and grandeur of the occasion.
Every year, lakhs of pilgrims undertake the Char Dham Yatra, braving challenging terrain with unwavering faith.
(With agency inputs)
