Dehradun: With the closure of the Badrinath Dham, the doors of all four Dhams have been closed for the winter season, a period of six months. Despite the natural disasters, this year’s Char Dham Yatra has set a new record. 4.35 lakh more pilgrims participated in the Yatra compared to last year.
Last year, a total of 46 lakh 69 thousand 74 pilgrims participated in the Char Dham Yatra, while this year the number has reached a record 51 lakh 4 thousand 975. Kedarnath has seen the highest number of pilgrims at 17 lakh 68 thousand 795.
Similarly, 16 lakh 60 thousand 224 pilgrims visited Badrinath, 7 lakh 57 thousand 10 at Gangotri, and 6 lakh 44 thousand 505 at Yamunotri. For the first time, the number of pilgrims to Hemkund Sahib has reached 274,441. Previously, 164,546 pilgrims visited Hemkund Sahib in 2023 and 185,972 pilgrims in 2024.
Winter Yatra Preparations Intensify
With the closure of the Badrinath shrine, preparations for the winter pilgrimage have intensified. The worship of Lord Badri Vishal will now take place at the winter retreats of Pandukeshwar and the Lord Narasimha Temple in Jyotirmath. The winter worship of Baba Kedarnath will take place at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the worship of Mother Ganga (Gangotri) in Mukhba, and the worship of Mother Yamuna (Yamunotri) in Kharsali. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, emphasizing the need to further strengthen winter pilgrimage arrangements, has directed officials to strengthen accommodation, transportation, and security arrangements at the winter retreats of the four Dhams and all other major tourist destinations.
Despite the year being filled with difficult challenges, more pilgrims have arrived on the Chardham Yatra this year than last year. The safety of pilgrims has been our top priority. Previously, facilities were limited. Along with robust arrangements for pilgrims’ accommodation, all other amenities have also been expanded. Following the reconstruction work in Kedarnath under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project, pilgrims’ amenities have increased. Now, preparations for the winter pilgrimage are also focusing on pilgrims’ amenities and safety.
– Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
