Uttarkashi, April 29 -- In a spiritually significant event marking the arrival of the Char Dham Yatra season, the festive palanquin (doli) carrying the idol of goddess Ganga departed from her winter residence in Mukhaba village and is on its way to Gangotri Dham.

Drums, dhols, and thousands of devotees accompanied the procession. The palanquin's departure heralds the formal reopening of the revered Gangotri temple.

The doors of Shri Gangotri Dham will be ceremonially opened tomorrow, on Akshaya Tritiya (April 30) during the auspicious hour (shubh muhurat), as per the Hindu calendar.

The annual ritual attracts thousands of devotees from across the country, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage to one of the holiest shrines in the Indi...