Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday marked the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya by offering prayers at the sacred Gangotri Dham.
The day also saw the ceremonial opening of the doors of both Shri Gangotri and Shri Yamunotri Dham, officially flagging off the Chardham Yatra 2025.
Sharing the update on social media platform X, CM Dhami said, “The doors of Shri Yamunotri and Shri Gangotri Dham will be opened today on Akshaya Tritiya. The Chardham Yatra 2025 begins today. May Maa Ganga-Yamuna bless you all. #AkshayaTritiya”
In preparation for the pilgrimage, Uttarakhand Director General of Police Deepam Seth on Tuesday said that all security and logistical arrangements were in place.
He informed that around 6,000 policemen along with 17 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) companies would be deployed for smooth and safe conduct of the Yatra. Drone surveillance will also be used to monitor the pilgrim routes and ensure crowd control.
Meanwhile, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has intensified its preparations for the next phase of the pilgrimage.
The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham are scheduled to open on May 2, followed by Shri Badrinath Dham on May 4. Shri Madmaheshwar temple, the second Kedar, will open on May 21, and Shri Tungnath, the third Kedar, will open on May 2.
Elsewhere in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, lakhs of devotees gathered in Vrindavan on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya for a rare glimpse of Lord Banke Bihari’s feet — an annual event that draws pilgrims from far and wide.
Senior administrative and police officials, including DIG Shailesh Pandey, District Magistrate Chandraprakash, and SSP Shlok Kumar, reviewed crowd management and security measures in the temple area.
Akshaya Tritiya, a deeply revered day in Hindu and Jain traditions, symbolizes prosperity, fortune, and success. The day is widely celebrated through prayers, charitable acts, and spiritual activities.
Considered ideal for beginning new ventures or making investments, Akshaya Tritiya is associated with the belief that acts of goodness initiated today bring lasting blessings.
According to Hindu scriptures, this day also marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga and the conclusion of the Dwapar Yuga, and is said to be astrologically significant with both the sun and moon in their most auspicious alignment.