Char Dham Yatra Crosses 6 Million Pilgrims as Season Nears End

News Desk: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has entered its final phase, with more than six million pilgrims visiting the Himalayan shrines this season, according to officials. The total number of visitors reached 6,031,017 by Tuesday evening.

The annual pilgrimage began on April 19 and is scheduled to conclude for the winter after the portals of Badrinath Dham close on November 16. The latest figures highlight the continued popularity of one of India's most significant religious journeys.

Badrinath Dham recorded the highest number of visitors this season, welcoming 2,069,866 pilgrims. Kedarnath Dham ranked second, with 1,775,059 devotees visiting the shrine.

The number of pilgrims this year has already surpassed the five million recorded last year. In 2023, more than 5.6 million pilgrims visited the four sacred shrines, reflecting the growing popularity of the pilgrimage.

As the main pilgrimage season draws to a close, authorities are preparing for the winter Char Dham Yatra, which allows devotees to continue their religious journey after the main temples shut for the colder months.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya said the administration was focusing on arrangements for the winter pilgrimage. After the seasonal closure, Goddess Ganga will be worshipped at her winter abode in Mukhba, while Goddess Yamuna will be worshipped at Kharsali.

Officials have directed the departments and agencies concerned to ensure proper facilities for pilgrims and smooth arrangements throughout the winter season.

The winter pilgrimage for Kedarnath will begin after the temple closes and the deity is moved to its winter abode in Ukhimath. Devotees will be able to seek blessings there during the winter months.

Rajkumar Tiwari, president of the Shree Kedar Sabha Teerth Purohit Samaj in Kedarnath, said Ukhimath had attracted a large number of visitors during last year's winter pilgrimage.

He added that once the deity reaches the winter abode, pilgrims can continue to have darshan during the winter season. Visitors can also explore nearby religious destinations, including the Trijugi Narayan temple.

With the main pilgrimage season approaching its conclusion, the focus is now shifting towards maintaining religious tourism and ensuring that devotees can continue their pilgrimage safely even during the harsh Himalayan winter.