The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed a massive influx of pilgrims this year, with over 43 lakh devotees visiting the sacred shrines. Kedarnath Dham has been particularly popular, drawing a record 16.56 lakh pilgrims, surpassing last year's count.
The Char Dham Yatra, a revered pilgrimage in Hinduism, comprises visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This year, the Yatra commenced with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri portals on April 30, followed by Kedarnath on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. Hemkund Sahib opened on May 25.
According to official figures, an average of 15,000 devotees are arriving at the Char Dham sites daily. Kedarnath is experiencing the highest footfall, with 6,000 to 7,000 pilgrims offering prayers each day. Badrinath has attracted the largest number of visitors overall, with 14 lakh, followed by Kedarnath with 10 lakh, Gangotri with seven lakh, and Yamunotri with over six lakh. By the end of May, the Yatra had already drawn 1.6 million devotees, including those visiting Hemkund Sahib. Specifically, 6.96 lakh pilgrims had visited Kedarnath Dham by the end of May.
The pilgrimage to Kedarnath holds immense significance as the temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath attracts devotees from India and abroad, drawn to its spiritual energy, breathtaking landscape, and divine atmosphere.
To manage the large number of pilgrims, the government and district administration have implemented extensive arrangements, including medical camps, resting facilities, and enhanced road connectivity. Strict protocols for registration and crowd management are also in place to ensure order and safety. The Char Dham Devasthanam Board has reported consistently high daily footfall, with expectations of further growth before the temples close in mid-November.
The Yatra routes have been affected by monsoon damage, leaving some stretches fragile and prone to landslides. To ensure safety, police and SDRF teams have been deployed along sensitive patches, and relief operations are being launched promptly in case of blockages or debris. Pilgrims are advised to be prepared for sudden weather changes, carry warm clothes and rain gear, avoid night travel in landslide-prone areas, undergo a health check-up before travel, and inform family members in advance due to weak network connectivity in high-altitude areas.
The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism, and it is believed that the pilgrimage should be completed in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri, proceeding to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath, and finally ending at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air, with helicopter services available.
