Dehradun: The helicopter service to the revered shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath from Jolly Grant Airport has resumed on Wednesday after a three-month suspension due to the monsoon season.On the first day, the Rudraksha Aviation Company operated the 20-seater twin-engine MI-17 helicopter with 18 passengers on board. The operations were suspended on June 20 due to the rainy season. "There is only one MI-17 helicopter operating on the Char Dham Yatra air route. Unlike other choppers, which have a seating capacity of six-seven persons, this helicopter can carry 20 persons," said Raj Shah, an official of Rudraksha Aviation Company. The service allows pilgrims to embark on a single-day journey to both Badrinath and Kedarnath, returning to Dehradun by evening. The day-long package is priced at Rs 1 lakh per person. Nearly 700 pilgrims visited Badrinath and Kedarnath using the service during initial 50 days of operations between May 1 and June 20, an official told TOI. Meanwhile, tickets for the Kedarnath heli service were fully booked until September 30. IRCTC portal to book tickets for journeys after October 1 is likely to open soon, an official said.We also published the following articles recentlySpecial puja, havan performed at Badrinath-Kedarnath Dham on PM Modis 73rd birthdaySpecial puja and yagya-havan were conducted at the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples in Uttarakhand to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modis 73rd birthday. The priests prayed for his well-being, happiness, and prosperity. The head priest of Badrinath Dham performed a special ceremony in the name of PM Modis Gotra. In addition, PM Modi inaugurated the extension of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line and unveiled Phase 1 of the India International Convention and Expo Centre in Dwarka.Bappa ensconced in his aboderesembling Kedarnath templeThe puja pandals of Manautiyon ke Raja and Papermill ke Bappa in Lucknow have been constructed by artists from Kolkata. The pandal for Manautiyon ke Raja is a replica of a palace, while the one for Papermill ke Bappa resembles the Kedarnath temple. The idols of Lord Ganesha have been installed at both pandals. The cost of the pandals ranges from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, with insurance coverage for the idols and pandals. The Papermill ke Bappa pandal has also been decorated with chandeliers.

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