PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The number of pilgrims paying obeisance at Kedarnath Dham in the first week of opening of its portals is more than the combined strength of the pilgrims at Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamuntori so far. The data released by the State Emergency Operation Centre shows that a total of 2,07,452 pilgrims have visited Kedarnath Dham since opening of its portals on April 22. The data further shows that 84,942 pilgrims have visited Badrinath Dham located in Chamoli district. The portals of Badrinath were opened on April 23 this year. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri were opened on April 19 and 57,863 and 57,794 pilgrims have so far visited them respectively.
Kedarnath Dham located in Rudraprayag district has witnessed a spurt in the number of pilgrims in the last few years. Until four years ago, Badrinath Dham was more frequented by the pilgrims due to its easy accessibility. The changing preference of the pilgrims for Kedarnath Dham is surprising since the visitors have to undertake an arduous trek of 17 kilometres to reach here. The experts attribute the increased pilgrim footfall in Kedarnath due to its popularity among the youths who are increasingly venturing out to pilgrim destinations in recent years.
The chairman of the Badrinath- Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Hemant Dwivedi told The Pioneer that the pilgrims should also visit other temples in Garhwal region during their stay in the State for the Char Dham Yatra. He said that the BKTC controls 47 other temples which include Panch Badri and Panch Kedar. Dwivedi said that one of the reasons for increased pilgrim arrival in Kedarnath is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BKTC chairman said that the PM has immense faith in Kedarnath and he has visited the Dham many times. He said that about 4,000 pilgrims used to visit Adi Kailash but after the visit of PM Modi, the number of pilgrim footfall has increased to 50,000.
