Chamoli: This time the doors of Rudranath temple will open on 18th May, for which the administration and Kedarnath Forest Division along with the temple committee have started preparations. This time, to streamline the journey to Rudranath, the Forest Division has formed an Ecology Development Committee (EDC). Along with this, the number of devotees for the journey has also been determined. Rudranath temple comes at the fourth Kedar place among the Panch Kedars.
This facility will be available on the Yatra route: In which all the pilgrims coming to Rudranath will have to compulsorily register. The journey to Rudranath temple will be conducted this year through the EDC formed by the Forest Division. Due to which the local people of all the villages concerned will get an opportunity for self-employment. This year, the EDC has given permission to the local villagers to operate 18 tents at 3 places on the Yatra route. At the same time, bio toilets are being installed near Lwinti and Rudranath temple on the Yatra route. Provision has also been made to appoint cleaning staff by EDC for cleanliness on the Yatra route.
In order to conduct the fourth Kedarnath Shri Rudranath Yatra among the Panch Kedars in a systematic manner, Ecology Development Committees have been formed in Sagar, Gwad, Gangolgaon, Siroli and Kujaun villages along the Yatra route. Keeping in mind the number of devotees who went on Rudranath Yatra in the past years and the environment and ecology of the protected area, the number of devotees per day has been fixed at 140 this year. In such a situation, Kedarnath Wildlife Division has prepared a website https://kedarnathwildlife-uk-gov-in/ for online registration of pilgrims for the Yatra.
Tarun S, Divisional Forest Officer, Kedarnath Forest Division
Emergency numbers issued: Registration in EDC has been made mandatory for operating guides, porters and horses and mules on the Yatra route. Also, provisions have been made for strict action against the concerned in case of violation of rules. An advisory has also been issued by the Kedarnath Forest Division regarding the Yatra. In which an appeal has been made to get a health checkup done before the Yatra, reduce the use of plastic items during the Yatra, travel only on the prescribed route, take a local guide along, and make proper security arrangements during the Yatra.
