Dehradun, September 14, 2013: The yatra for Hemkund Sahib will resume from September 21, after almost three months of its suspension following the mid-June deluge.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna made the announcement here on Friday.

Though prayers in Kedarnath have begun, pilgrims have been prohibited from visiting the shrine. Narinder Jeet Singh Bindra, vice-chairman of the Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, said: “Pilgrims are allowed to visit the Hemkund shrine. However, the number of pilgrims has been restricted.”

S.A. Murugesan, district magistrate, Chamoli, said: “For the initial three to four days, around 200 pilgrims will be allowed to take the yatra. This might grow to around 500 after an evaluation.”

A bridge at Ghangaria, that connected Hemkund Sahib and Govindghat, and which was damaged in the mid-June disaster, has been restored.

Alternative routes have been constructed following damage to the roads.

Source: The Hindu, September 14, 2013