Char Dham Yatra witnesses heavy rush; committee urges monsoon preparedness
Rudraprayag, June 4
The enthusiasm among pilgrims for the Char Dham Yatra continues to rise, with a large number of devotees arriving at Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham for darshan, resulting in long queues at both shrines.
The world-famous Badrinath and Kedarnath pilgrimage in Uttarakhand is witnessing a steady increase in footfall, with thousands of devotees reaching the holy shrines every day and patiently waiting for their turn to offer prayers.
According to the latest pilgrimage figures, 1,050,670 devotees have visited Kedarnath Dham and offered prayers to Baba Kedar so far. Similarly, 832,903 pilgrims have paid obeisance to Lord Badri Vishal at Badrinath Dham.
Meanwhile, the (BKTC) has urged pilgrims to make necessary preparations before undertaking the journey, especially in view of the approaching monsoon season. The committee has advised devotees to complete their registration in advance, carry adequate warm clothing, arrange accommodation beforehand, and check weather conditions before beginning their pilgrimage.
BKTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sohan Singh urged visitors to complete their registration before starting the journey. He also advised them to carry adequate warm clothing due to the prevailing cold weather in the region.
Singh said, "The monsoon season is gradually approaching. Given the significant surge in visitor numbers and the fact that a one-way traffic system has been implemented in Joshimath, we strongly urge travellers to complete their registration before undertaking the journey. Registering ensures that we have a record of your visit, which is vital for our operations. Furthermore, as the weather here remains cold, please remember to bring adequate warm clothing."
He further added, "We also recommend making all necessary arrangements for your accommodation in advance. Our expectation from travellers is that they come and visit, but be prepared for some minor inconveniences, such as large crowds and long queues, as the volume of visitors is high."
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see such faith, but honestly, the crowds are becoming unmanageable. I was at Kedarnath last month and the queues were 3-4 hours long. The authorities need to think about better crowd management - maybe timed slots or online booking for darshan timing. Otherwise, the experience becomes more about endurance than spirituality.
Good to see BKTC taking proactive steps. The one-way system in Joshimath is a smart move - that stretch gets chaotic otherwise. But I wish they'd also mention road conditions. The Rishikesh-Badrinath highway had landslides last monsoon. Pilgrims should check NH 58 updates and carry basic medical kits. Safety first, darshan second! 🏔️
As an American who did the Char Dham in 2019, I must say the spiritual energy is incredible. But this year's numbers are staggering - 1 million+ at Kedarnath alone! The committee's warnings are wise. I'd add: don't underestimate the altitude - Badrinath is at 3,300m. Acclimatize properly. And register online beforehand - it saves time. The Indian system works well when you follow rules.
Every year it's the same story - rush, queues, officials giving advice. But has anyone fixed the basic infrastructure? The trek to Kedarnath is 16 km and during monsoon parts become slush. More shelters and medical facilities along the way would help. And please, authorities, ensure proper waste management. We're leaving mountains of plastic behind. It's not just about faith, it's about responsibility.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.