In Himachal Pradesh, Snowfall in the higher reaches and intermittent rain in low and mid hills brought the temperatures across the state to comfortable levels. Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti, experienced 18 cm of snow fall. The picturesque tourist resort of Manali experienced 43 mm of rain today, while the majestic Rohtang Pass, just 52 km from Manali, experienced mild spells of snow fall.

The ‘Char Dham Yatra’,the pilgrimage to the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri started yesterday. Due to cyclonic conditions that prevailed Novemberlast year, The Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath had been closed for tourist. President of Badrinath-Kedarnath Samiti, Anusuya Prasad Bhatt said “Once the dormitories, hotels and lodges are completely booked, we will set up tents for the public. As many as 2,000 tourists can take shelter in them”.

As per sources, To ensure security to ‘char dham’ pilgrims, Uttarakhand government has Set up 74 temporary police stations and deployment of over 1,000 security personnel. “Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the yatra, which began yesterday. Nearly 1,100 paramilitary and Provincial Armed Police jawans have been deployed in the roads leading to the dhams,” DIG (Gharwal range) Deepam Seth said.

He added “Besides, river police, homeguard jawans and local security groups have also been deputed,adding that police have identified 122 sensitive and extra-sensitive places where there are possibilities of road accidents and officials have been instructed to remain vigilant while the yatra is on”.

Seth said “One senior inspector and 9 jawans at each police station will be on round-the-clock service. Seth said while transport department has been ordered to monitor each vehicle before issuing green cards, shopkeepers will mention the rates of their products in a list outside the shops to minimise chances of overcharging. 34 disaster management centres have been set up along the Yatra roads to provide relief to pilgrims is case of natural calamities, adding that 108 ambulances have also been stationed for emergency service”.

According to a PTI report, Kedarnath will be reopened for pilgrims tomorrow, officials said today. “Kedarnath temple will be reopened on May 8, 2011 at 5 pm,” Anusuya Prasad Bhatt, Chairman, Badrinath-Kedarnath Samiti said. The Kedarnath shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated a height of 3,581 metre in Garhwal Himalayas in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. After reaching the last road head at Gaurikund, the pilgrims have to undertake an arduous and tough trek of 14 km to reach the shrine.

Thousands of pilgrims also present in the premises of the temples, braving chilly winds at the closing ceremony. Another Himalayan shrine of Gangotri, situated at a height of over 10,000 feet in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, was closed on the occasion of “Annakut parv” one day before. Badrinath shrine, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Chamoli district would be closed on coming Nov 18.