Dehradu: Amid massive surge in COVID-19 cases, the Uttarakhand Government, today, suspended the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ for this year. The yatra was scheduled to start from May 14.

Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that only priests of the four temples will perform rituals and puja. The four pilgrimage sites are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.

“Uttarakhand Government has suspended Char Dham Yatra this year in view of COVID-19 situation in the State. Only priests will perform rituals and puja,” said CM Rawat.

The Chief Minister said that the decision has been taken in view of the rising cases of                Coronavirus infections.

The Char Dham (meaning: four abodes) is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. It is believed that visiting these sites helps achieve moksha (salvation). The Badrinath shrine is slated to open on May 18, Kedarnath on May 17, Gangotri and Yamunotri will open on May 15.

Last year, too, the Government had suspended the yatra in the initial months. Local residents and those from within the State were allowed to go to the shrines. The yatra was subsequently started in July.