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The commencement of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been marked by a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who extended greetings to pilgrims and highlighted broader themes connected to the pilgrimage tradition. In his message, he referred to the opening of the Kedarnath shrine and described the Char Dham circuit as an important part of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage that continues to attract visitors from diverse regions and backgrounds.

He noted that pilgrimage routes such as Badrinath and Kedarnath have historically played a role in shaping spiritual thought and cultural exchange, referencing contributions from historical figures in Indian philosophy. The message also emphasized the continued significance of the Himalayan shrines as centres of devotion and cultural unity, drawing pilgrims each year despite varied languages, traditions, and regions of origin.

The Prime Minister also underlined Uttarakhand’s growing role in tourism and development, stating that improvements in infrastructure and facilities have made the pilgrimage more accessible and organized for visitors. He linked this development to wider economic and tourism growth in the state, which continues to depend significantly on religious tourism.

Alongside greetings, he encouraged pilgrims to adopt five broad resolutions during their journey. These include maintaining cleanliness at pilgrimage sites, avoiding plastic use, and supporting efforts to protect rivers and the fragile Himalayan environment. He also called for greater sensitivity towards nature and suggested participation in tree plantation or similar environmental initiatives.
Another focus was on encouraging service-oriented behaviour, where pilgrims are urged to assist others during the journey and promote social harmony. Support for local livelihoods was also highlighted through the idea of purchasing regional products, contributing a portion of travel spending to local goods and services.
The guidelines further included following safety rules and maintaining discipline during travel to ensure smooth movement for all participants and authorities managing the Yatra. Additionally, pilgrims were encouraged to adopt a “digital fast” to reduce screen time and engage more deeply with the natural surroundings.
The message also urged content creators and social media users to highlight local culture, traditions, and stories from Uttarakhand to a wider audience.