Char Dham Yatra Gains Momentum As Monsoon Ends; Over 43 Lakh Pilgrims Visit Shrines

With the retreat of the monsoon, spiritual fervour has once again gripped Uttarakhand’s Char Dham. The high Himalayan valleys are bustling with pilgrims, and the once-deserted routes and halts have come alive with chants of devotion.

According to official figures, an average of 15,000 devotees are reaching the Char Dham daily. The highest footfall is being recorded at Kedarnath, where 6,000-7,000 pilgrims offer prayers every day.

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This year’s Yatra began with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri portals on 30 April, followed by Kedarnath on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. By the end of June, a record 37.21 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrines. The pace slowed during the monsoon but has picked up again with improved weather and road repairs.

In the past week alone, 1,02,490 devotees visited the four shrines, taking the total count since the opening of portals to 43.59 lakh. Badrinath has drawn the largest share with 14 lakh visitors, followed by Kedarnath with 10 lakh, Gangotri with seven lakh, and Yamunotri with over six lakh devotees.

Portals to Close This Month

-Gangotri: October 22 (Annakut)

-Kedarnath & Yamunotri: October 23 (Bhai Dooj)

-Badrinath: November 25

Monsoon damage has left stretches of the Yatra route fragile, with landslide-prone zones posing risks. To ensure safety, the administration has deployed police and SDRF teams along sensitive patches. Relief operations are being launched promptly in case of blockages or debris.

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Travel Advisory for Pilgrims

-Be prepared for sudden weather changes; carry warm clothes and rain gear.

-Avoid night travel in landslide-prone areas and follow official advisories.

-Undergo a health check-up before travel and carry essential medicines.

-Inform family members in advance due to weak network connectivity in high altitudes.

-Use local guides or porters and avoid unfamiliar shortcuts.