DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Yatra has set a new record, with the number of pilgrims visiting the four Himalayan shrines surpassing the previous high of 56.31 lakh, recorded in 2023. The milestone was crossed even as more than a month remains in this year’s pilgrimage season.
By Wednesday, October 7, the combined footfall at Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkunt Sahib had reached 56,88,928, according to the daily bulletin issued by the Char Dham Yatra Management and Control Organisation. The portals of the four shrines are scheduled to close between November 10 and 13.
Hemant Dwivedi, chairman of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said the growing turnout reflected the enduring appeal of the pilgrimage and devotees’ confidence in the state.
“Enthusiasm for the Char Dham Yatra is steadily increasing among devotees from India and abroad. This year, a record number of pilgrims have arrived in Devbhoomi to seek the blessings of Baba Kedar, Lord Badri Vishal, Maa Gangotri and Maa Yamunotri. All previous records have been surpassed,” he told TNIE.
“The historic rise in pilgrim numbers reflects the growth of religious tourism in the state and the faith devotees across the country place in these shrines,” he said.
Dwivedi credited preparations by the state government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, with helping make the journey safer and more orderly. He said facilities for healthcare, traffic management, drinking water, sanitation, parking, accommodation and disaster response had been strengthened along the pilgrimage routes.
He added that coordination among the administration, police, health department, State Disaster Response Force and other agencies had been prioritised during the season. The scale of the turnout, however, will continue to test transport, accommodation and crowd-management arrangements as the yatra enters its final weeks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and investment in infrastructure at Kedarnath, Badrinath and other religious sites had also reinforced Uttarakhand’s spiritual identity, Dwivedi said. Improved connectivity and expanded facilities for pilgrims were contributing to the rising numbers, he added.
Wednesday’s figures showed that Badrinath recorded the highest daily footfall, with 18,806 pilgrims, followed by Kedarnath with 12,637. Gangotri recorded 3,044 visitors, Yamunotri 2,213 and Hemkunt Sahib 2,953.
Badrinath also leads the cumulative tally, with 19,13,895 pilgrims so far. Kedarnath has received 16,78,866, Gangotri 9,09,983, Yamunotri 8,10,343 and Hemkunt Sahib 3,75,841.
With the shrines expected to close in mid-November, the final seasonal total could rise further.
