The winter Chardham yatra today officially began from Mukhba village here amid vedic chanting.
The yatra began from Mukhba village, located about 25 km ahead of Gangotri temple, with Congress MLA Vijay Pal Singh Sajwan beginning the winter yatra in the presence of the administration, Army and temple officials.
After launching the yatra, Sajwan said, "For now, the winter Chardham yatra has begun in Mukhba but soon it will begin in Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath."
The administration has been directed to make arrangements for all the devotees to ensure that the yatra is smooth and the pilgrims don't face any problems, he said.
In a novel move, the state government recently decided to start yatra to places where the chardham deities are worshipped during their winter sojourn after a proposal to this effect received the nod of priests and temple committees at a meeting with Chief Minister Harish Rawat on October 14.
The idols and symbols installed at Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are removed to villages located in lower areas nearby to be worshipped during winter when the famous Himalayan shrines, also known as chardham, remain inaccessible due to heavy snowfall in the area.
The portals of chardhams are closed in October-November every year due to heavy snowfall in the area and are re-opened in April- May when the snow melts.
