Char Dham Yatra crosses 48 lakh mark in 125 days, Yamunotri records highest-ever footfall

The number of pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand’s Char Dham shrines has crossed 48 lakh within 125 days of the ongoing pilgrimage season, with Yamunotri Dham recording its highest-ever footfall. Despite monsoon-related challenges, 48,04,897 pilgrims had visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri as of Friday, August 21.

The figure is 5,22,634 higher than the 42,82,263 pilgrims who had visited the four shrines during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the Uttarakhand government.

The state government said the pilgrimage is continuing with enhanced monitoring and safety arrangements in view of the monsoon. Weather conditions are being assessed regularly and authorities have been regulating the movement of pilgrims when required.

Yamunotri crosses previous annual record

Yamunotri Dham has recorded 6,68,163 pilgrims so far this season, crossing its previous annual high of 6,44,637 visitors recorded in 2025.

The number of pilgrims visiting the shrine was 5,15,067 in 2024 and 5,60,918 in 2023. The figures show a broader rise in pilgrimage to the shrine over the past few years, although visitor numbers were sharply affected during the pandemic period.

Yamunotri recorded 7,728 visitors in 2020 and 33,311 in 2021. The number subsequently increased to 6,21,538 in 2022 before reaching 5,60,918 in 2023 and 6,44,637 in 2025.

The current season's figure has therefore surpassed the previous record even before the pilgrimage season concludes.

Badrinath leads in pilgrim numbers

Badrinath has received the highest number of pilgrims among the four shrines, with 16,54,263 visitors recorded so far. Kedarnath follows with 14,65,370 pilgrims, while Gangotri has recorded 7,47,671 visitors.

Badrinath has also registered a substantial year-on-year increase. According to the state government, the shrine has received 3,62,304 more pilgrims than during the corresponding period last year.

Beyond the four Char Dham shrines, Hemkund Sahib has received 2,69,430 devotees so far during the current pilgrimage season.

The Char Dham Yatra began on April 19 with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. The pilgrimage season has continued through the monsoon, when heavy rainfall and related risks can affect travel conditions on mountain routes.

Authorities maintain round-the-clock monitoring

The government said disaster management arrangements have been strengthened in the districts connected to the Char Dham routes. Disaster management departments in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi have been kept on alert around the clock.

District administrations are also monitoring weather conditions and issuing advisories to pilgrims. Where weather conditions deteriorate, the movement of pilgrims can be controlled as a precautionary measure.

The state government has said that arrangements for the safety and convenience of pilgrims have been made at the four dhams as well as at key stops along the routes.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said pilgrim safety remains the government's highest priority. He said district magistrates in the districts associated with the pilgrimage are keeping a close watch on arrangements and that necessary measures are being taken according to weather conditions.

The latest figures indicate sustained demand for pilgrimage to the state's major shrines despite the operational challenges posed by the monsoon. With more than 48 lakh visits already recorded in 125 days, the current season has exceeded the corresponding period's footfall from 2025 by more than five lakh.