During the ongoing Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, the government has imposed a ban on the use of mobile phones within a 50-meter radius of the Kedarnath temple.
This measure is intended to provide a more serene and uninterrupted darshan experience for devotees.
By eliminating distractions and potential disruptions caused by mobile phone usage near this sacred site, the authorities aim to enhance the spiritual atmosphere, allowing pilgrims to fully engage in their religious activities without disturbances.
Strict Action
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi announced that strict action will be taken against anyone found using mobile phones within the temple’s designated radius. This decision has been made in response to the disruptions caused by mobile phone usage within the temple premises, which negatively impact the darshan experience for devotees.
District Authorities Instructed
“This season, the number of pilgrims has doubled compared to 2023, making crowd management extremely challenging due to the unexpected influx. The use of mobile phones near the temples has exacerbated these difficulties and disrupted the pilgrimage experience. Consequently, a decision has been made to prohibit mobile phone use within a 200-meter radius of the Chardham temples. All relevant police officials and district magistrates have been instructed to strictly enforce this directive at the temples,” stated the state chief secretary, Radha Raturi.
The chief secretary further emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring that pilgrims return home safely. She refuted claims of any stampede-like situations along the Chardham route, asserting that reports of such incidents are false and constitute a crime. “There has been no stampede so far. Spreading fake news is a crime, and we will take stringent action against those responsible,” she stated.
Highest Number of Devotees
Notably, the current Chardham pilgrimage season has seen an unprecedented increase in devotees compared to previous years. Approximately 2,800,000 pilgrims have registered for visits to the four shrines in the past month alone.
Appeal for Cooperation and Respect
Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar has urged Directors General of Police in various states to refrain from sending any VIPs to the Char Dham Darshan until May 31. This request comes due to the unexpected surge in crowd numbers. Authorities are committed to ensuring a smooth and safe journey for all devotees. They have also urged everyone to conduct themselves respectfully to uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage.
