Rudraprayag: Uttarakhand Kedarnath Dham Yatra is setting new records every year. On one hand, the number of devotees coming from the country and abroad to visit Baba Kedarnath is setting new records. At the same time, the employment of local people is also getting continuous benefits from the increasing pilgrimage. On the other hand, the government is also getting huge revenue from the facilities being given to the devotees coming on the Yatra by the government administration. One month has passed since the opening of Baba’s doors and in this one month, from government facilities to local traders, business of more than two billion has been done. At the same time, since the beginning of the month of June, the number of devotees has also started increasing continuously. Which will benefit the local traders and women self-help groups.
More than seven lakh devotees visited Baba: For the year 2025 Yatra, the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees on May 2. It has been a month since Baba’s doors opened. On Sunday, June 1, the number of devotees who visited Baba has crossed 7 lakh. If the average of the last one month is calculated, then 24 thousand devotees have reached Kedarpuri to visit Baba every day.
Rs 40.5 crore revenue from horse-mule operation: Kedarnath Dham Yatra is one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. After crossing a difficult walking path of about 20 kilometers, one can have darshan of the 11th Jyotirlinga situated in the lap of the Himalayas. Horses and mules play a very important role in this difficult religious journey on foot. Incapable and elderly devotees often travel through them. From food items to other essential items, these horses and mules are transported to the Yatra route and Kedarpuri.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ashish Rawat said that till May 31, 1 lakh 39 thousand 444 devotees have reached for darshan through horses and mules. Through which more than 40 crore 50 lakh revenue has been received. It was told that this year due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse mule operation was also affected for a few days.
Heli services did a business of 35 crore rupees: Heli services have an important role in Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Through heli services, devotees who are unable to travel on foot in any condition get a chance to see Baba. At the same time, heli services are playing an important role in the rescue operation. Every day two to three people struggling with medical emergencies are rescued to higher centers on time through heli services.
District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service Rahul Chaubey said that this year 8 heli companies are operating from 9 helipads. Till May 31, about 33 thousand devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services. Due to which a revenue of about 35 crore rupees has been received. Chaubey appealed to the devotees to book heli bookings from the official website of IRCTC.
Revenue of more than one crore from Dandi-Kandi: The operation of horses and mules on the Kedarnath Dham foot journey route is as important as the operation of Dandi-Kandi. Many devotees who are unable to walk prefer to travel by Dandi-Kandi instead of horses and mules. It is also considered safer for small children. Apart from this, many devotees travel on foot themselves and take the luggage to Kedarpuri with the help of Dandi-Kandi. Dandi-Kandi operators charge 8 to 16 thousand rupees for one trip depending on the weight of the passenger and luggage.
Additional Chief Officer District Panchayat Rudraprayag Sanjay Kumar said that more than 7000 Dandi-Kandi operators are registered for this year’s journey. Till May 31, 29 thousand 275 devotees have already traveled through Dandi-Kandi. Due to which a revenue of one crore 16 lakh, 89 thousand 100 rupees has been received. On the other hand, fines of 2 lakh 26 thousand rupees have also been collected from various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules.
Around 7 crore rupees earned from taxi operation: Assistant Transport Officer Rudraprayag Kulwant Singh Chauhan said that this year 225 vehicles are registered for shuttle service in Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Devotees reach Gaurikund from Sonprayag in these vehicles.
So far more than seven lakh devotees have reached Shri Kedarnath Dham. Every passenger has to pay 50 rupees to go and 50 rupees to return to Sonprayag. Till June 1, 7 lakh devotees have reached the Dham. That is, till now taxi operators have earned about 7 crore rupees through shuttle service. On the other hand, taking a new initiative this year, 25 vehicles have been reserved for women and elderly. On an average 10 passengers can travel in each vehicle. Stickers have also been put on these vehicles. In the first phase, only 25 vehicles have been used for this. If the experiment is successful and the need for more vehicles is felt, then the number of vehicles can be increased.
Hotel establishments did business of more than 140 crores: GMVN and local traders make arrangements for the stay of devotees on Kedarnath Dham Yatra route and Kedarpuri. From Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra route to Kedarpuri, there are hundreds of hotels, tents and restaurants of local people. Devotees stay in these hotels for food and lodging. The stay and food of a pilgrim coming on Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is 140 crores.
