Char Dham Yatra saw 2.31 lakh pilgrims in August, highest in 4 years; Badrinath receives highest footfall of 1.25 lakh pilgrims

In the month of August, in Uttarakhand, the speed of Char Dham Yatra amidst rains and landslides has created a new record. This is the first time in the last four years that the maximum number of devotees have reached Char Dham in August. A total of 2,31,518 devotees visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri this year. More than 1.25 lakh devotees visited Badrinath Dham. After three years, the maximum number of Shiva devotees reached Kedarnath in August this August. More than 2 lakh 67 thousand devotees reached Char Dham in August 2022 after the Corona period. The pace of Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra, which started on April 19 this year, slowed down in July, but in August, despite heavy rains, clogged highways and landslide incidents at many places, a record number of devotees was recorded. Char Dham Yatra witnessed 93,680 more pilgrims in August this year and 1,18,502 more in 2024 as compared to last year. Hemkund Sahib also witnessed record footfall last month. Hemkund Sahib, the holy shrine of Sikhs in Uttarakhand, witnessed a record footfall of 67863 devotees in August 2026. So far, 2.89 lakh devotees have arrived in the yatra, which began on June 1. Last year, 2 lakh 74 thousand pilgrims came for the entire season. The record has been broken 40 days ago. Second phase of helicopter service for Char Dham Yatra Starting from September 15, the second phase of helicopter service for Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will start from September 15. According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority, the weather is expected to be safe for helicopter flights after the monsoon weakens. The decision has been taken on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Coordination is being coordinated with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and DGCA for the safety of helicopter services. Sahasradhara Heliport and ATC arrangements have been made at Sitapur. There is a plan to build ATC in Badrinath soon, while ATC in Kedarnath will be installed before the 2027 Yatra.