PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The number of pilgrims visiting the State for the Char Dham Yatra this year has surpassed the 47 lakh figure mark in 114 days. As per the data of the State government more than 4.5 lakh people have visited the State for the Yatra this year than the corresponding period of last year.
The data shows that despite the ongoing challenges of the monsoon, the Char Dham Yatra is set to create a new record of the pilgrim arrival this year. More than 51 lakh pilgrims had visited the State for Yatra last year.
This year, the Char Dham Yatra commenced on April 19 with the opening of portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams. Till August 10, a total of 47, 02,703 pilgrims had visited the Char Dhams in the 114 days of this pilgrimage period. Pertinently, 42,34,147 pilgrims had visited the State for Yatra in the corresponding period last year.
The data shows that till August 10, a total of 16,12,112 pilgrims have visited Badrinath while 14,50,116 pilgrims have paid obeisance at Kedarnath Dham. A total of 7,37,629 pilgrims have visited Gangotri while 6,62,347 pilgrims have visited Yamunotri till Monday. Apart from the Char Dhams, 2, 40,499 pilgrims have paid obeisance at Hemkund Sahib.
Interestingly, bad weather is not acting as a deterrence to the pilgrims for visiting the Char Dhams. On Monday, despite the alert issued by the government due to bad weather more than 15,000 pilgrims visited the Char Dham. Of these, the highest number of pilgrims (9,559) arrived at Badrinath, followed by Kedarnath (4,170) Gangotri ( 1,204) and Yamunotri (43).
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “ The safety of Char Dham pilgrims is our top priority. In view of the monsoon activity, the Disaster Management department has been placed on an alert mode. District Magistrates have been asked to remain vigilant so that relief and rescue operations can begin immediately in case of any emergency. Instructions have been given to ensure safe accommodation for pilgrims in case of landslides or any other disaster. Pilgrims are advised to undertake their pilgrimage only after carefully monitoring the weather conditions.
