After a suspension of nearly two and a half months due to monsoon damage, the Yamunotri Dham yatra has resumed, bringing relief and enthusiasm among devotees. More than 800 pilgrims have already set out towards the shrine, even though they are required to cover an additional five kilometres on foot from Phoolchatti. Our correspondent reports that the reopening of the route has restored momentum to one of the Char Dham’s most significant pilgrimages.
The journey had been halted since June 28 when parts of the Yamunotri highway were washed away at Silai Band following a cloudburst. The incident also caused casualties among workers and led to several people going missing. Later, the collapse of a bridge at Ojri and subsequent flooding and debris flow at Syana Chatti further complicated efforts to restore the route. Our correspondent adds that landslides in August near Jangal Chatti, Banas, and Phoolchatti again forced a complete closure of the highway.
Restoration work was carried out at a rapid pace by the National Highways Authority and Public Works Department teams. Last Monday, traffic was partially restored, allowing small vehicles to move up to Phoolchatti. From there, pilgrims must travel on foot to Jankichatti and then continue the five-kilometre trekking route to Yamunotri Dham. Our correspondent reports that despite the extra distance, the enthusiasm of devotees has remained undiminished.
Officials confirmed that more than 800 registered pilgrims were cleared to proceed from the check-post on Tuesday, reflecting the strong turnout since the reopening. However, connectivity issues in the region have limited accurate data on how many were able to reach the shrine itself. Our correspondent adds that large buses are being stopped at Kharadi, with onward journeys requiring transfers to smaller vehicles up to Phoolchatti.
The reopening of the yatra marks an important milestone in Uttarakhand’s efforts to revive religious tourism after severe monsoon disruptions. Authorities have assured that continuous monitoring and repair of the fragile route will take place to prevent further interruptions. The resumption has not only renewed the spiritual fervour of pilgrims but also provided a much-needed boost to the local economy, which depends heavily on the Char Dham season.
