Sunday, 16 May 2021 | PNS | Gangotri
The portals of the Gangotri shrine in Uttarkashi district were ritually reopened for the summer at 7:31 AM on Saturday. With the reopening of Yamunotri on Friday and Gangotri on Saturday, the first prayers were offered on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister had sent Rs 1,100 for the prayers through the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board. The Teerth Purohits offered the prayers while observing Covid guidelines and prayed for relief from the pandemic and happiness of the people. Special offerings were made to the deity on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Due to the Covid restrictions, there were only a few people at Gangotri on the occasion of its reopening.
Chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat and the Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaaz greeted the people on the occasion. Referring to the Char Dham Yatra being suspended due to the Covid surge, the chief minister said that the pilgrimage would be started after the situation normalises. Meanwhile, the portals of Kedarnath shrine are slated to be reopened on May 17 while the portals of Badrinath shrine are slated to be reopened on May 18.
