The New Indian Express ·
Badrinath leads as Char Dham footfall hits 50 lakh before phase two
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Yatra is racing towards a fresh footfall record, with the pilgrim count crossing the 50-lakh mark ahead of the second phase beginning September 15. The state government expects the seasonal tally to touch 60 lakh before the pilgrimage concludes in November.
The pilgrimage began on April 19 with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri. Kedarnath opened on April 22 and Badrinath a day later, bringing the annual yatra fully underway. Despite a monsoon slowdown, the pilgrimage continued without prolonged interruption.
Tourism Department data showed that the combined footfall at the four shrines and Hemkund Sahib had reached 5,014,945 by Friday evening. Last year, 51 lakh devotees visited the Char Dham shrines during the entire season.
