Badrinath and Gangotri record strong footfall as Uttarakhand government steps up monitoring and safety arrangements
Dehradun, Sept 2026 : The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed a substantial rise in pilgrim footfall this year, with more than 53 lakh devotees visiting the four Himalayan shrines so far, according to state government figures.
Badrinath Dham has recorded over 18.10 lakh visitors, while Gangotri has registered its highest-ever footfall of 8.41 lakh devotees. More than 7.5 lakh pilgrims have visited Yamunotri, while Kedarnath has received 15.57 lakh devotees during the ongoing pilgrimage season.
The combined footfall at Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri has reached 53,23,401, compared with around 46 lakh during the corresponding period last year. With nearly one-and-a-half months of the pilgrimage season still remaining, the state government expects the number of visitors to increase further.
The Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage has also witnessed strong participation. According to the government, 3,52,765 devotees have visited the shrine so far, taking the figure beyond the three-lakh mark for the first time in several years.
With the number of pilgrims rising, authorities have increased monitoring and preparedness along the pilgrimage routes. The Disaster Management Department has been kept on round-the-clock alert in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which are among the key areas connected to the Char Dham route.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the first phase of the pilgrimage had been conducted successfully and that a large number of devotees were continuing to arrive during the second phase.
“Keeping this in view, all necessary arrangements have been made for a safe, smooth, and organised pilgrimage. The Disaster Management Department has been kept on alert in all districts connected with the yatra,” Dhami said.
He added that senior officials at the state and district levels were continuously reviewing arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
The administration is maintaining coordination among departments involved in disaster management and other essential services as the pilgrimage continues.
The government said the rising footfall presents a need for continued vigilance, particularly in view of the challenging Himalayan terrain and changing weather conditions. Officials are monitoring the situation and reviewing arrangements to manage the increasing number of devotees.
With a significant portion of the pilgrimage season still remaining, authorities expect sustained pilgrim movement at all four Char Dham shrines and are focusing on maintaining safe and orderly travel for devotees.
