'Char Dham Yatra' shows a record footfall in 2017, says U'Khand government

Dehradun: The number of pilgrims for the annual Char Dham Yatra has shown a record rise in 2017, after the 2013 flash floods that killed thousands.

According to the official data released by the Uttarakhand government, the pilgrimage had evoked lukewarm response over the past few years.

"The natural calamity had left the pilgrims worried about their safety and those who braved the odds found the new route tough and the roads in poor shape, deterring many. There, however, has been a turnaround in year 2017 and in the first ten days alone, 2.21 lakh pilgrims have already visited the Badrinath-Kedarnath shrines," the official said.

As many as 1,23,285 pilgrims have visited the Badrinath shrine, the seat of Lord Vishnu and 97,815 have paid obeisance at the Kedarnath shrine, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga's in the country.

According to the officials, pleasant weather and better arrangements have also added to the increase in numbers of the tourists.

Expressing happiness at the spike in numbers, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Badri-Kedar Shrine Board B.D. Singh said that the number logged in the past ten days had surpassed past turnouts. "In the last two days, around 10,000 pilgrims visited Kedarnath shrine from Rudraprayag, while 7,000 trekked to the shrine from Gaurikund, he stated.

Singh further said that this is also for the first time since 2013, that in a fortnight the number of pilgrims undertaking the 'Char Dham' yatra has crossed three lakh.

A large number of pilgrims are also availing the chopper service to Kedarnath, which was started with some delay owing to late clearance from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The other two shrines - Yamunotri and Gangotri are also witnessing a large turnout. In a fortnight, over 60,000 pilgrims have visited Yamunotri, while more than 71,000 visited Gangotri.