Dehradun, Oct 17 : In a remarkable milestone, the number of pilgrims journeying to the revered Char Dham shrines nestled in the lofty Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand has exceeded the 50-lakh mark for the very first time. Both domestic and international pilgrims are converging in significant numbers to embark on a sacred journey to the world-famous Char Dham sites: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. As of October 16, the statistics reveal that over 50 lakh pilgrims have already undertaken this spiritual pilgrimage.
The Char Dham Yatra, which typically begins in April and May, has witnessed an impressive influx of devotees. These include 17.08 lakh pilgrims who have reached Kedarnath Dham, 15.90 lakh in Badrinath Dham, 8.46 lakh in Gangotri, and 6.94 lakh in Yamunotri. Moreover, Hemkund Sahib, a significant Sikh pilgrimage site, has welcomed over 1.77 lakh devotees. The portals of Hemkund Sahib were officially closed for the winter season on October 11, marking the end of this year’s pilgrimage season.
This surge in pilgrim numbers marks a significant increase from the previous year when 47 lakh devotees undertook the Char Dham Yatra. Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police, Ashok Kumar, reiterated the police force’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and uninterrupted progress of the Char Dham Yatra. Each year, these sacred sites in the Garhwal Himalayas are closed to devotees during the winter season, following the celebration of Diwali in October-November. They are subsequently reopened for pilgrimage in April-May.
