The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has crossed the 48-lakh mark within 125 days of the pilgrimage season, despite challenges posed by the monsoon. Yamunotri Dham has recorded its highest-ever footfall, with more than 6.68 lakh pilgrims visiting the shrine so far this season.
According to the state government, 48,04,897 pilgrims had visited the four shrines as of Friday, August 21. During the corresponding period in 2025, the number stood at 42,82,263, marking an increase of 5,22,634 pilgrims.
Yamunotri records highest-ever footfall
Yamunotri has recorded 6,68,163 pilgrims so far this year, crossing the previous record of 6,44,637 visitors registered in 2025.
The shrine had received 5,15,067 pilgrims in 2024 and 5,60,918 in 2023. The annual figures remained significantly lower during the Covid-19 pandemic, with 7,728 visitors recorded in 2020 and 33,311 in 2021.
The current footfall marks a significant rise in pilgrimage to the Yamunotri shrine and comes despite the challenges associated with the monsoon season.
Badrinath sees highest number of pilgrims
Among the four Char Dham shrines, Badrinath has recorded the highest number of visitors so far this season, with 16,54,263 pilgrims. Kedarnath has received 14,65,370, while 7,47,671 pilgrims have visited Gangotri.
The number of visitors to Badrinath is 3,62,304 higher than the corresponding figure last year, according to the state government.
{{/usCountry}}The number of visitors to Badrinath is 3,62,304 higher than the corresponding figure last year, according to the state government.
{{/usCountry}}Hemkund Sahib has also recorded 2,69,430 devotees during the pilgrimage season so far.
Administration on alert during monsoon
The Char Dham Yatra began on April 19 with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. The state government said the pilgrimage is being conducted with enhanced monitoring in view of monsoon-related risks.
Disaster management teams in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which are closely associated with the pilgrimage routes, have been kept on alert around the clock. Authorities have also issued advisories for pilgrims based on prevailing weather conditions.
The administration is monitoring weather conditions and regulating the movement of pilgrims whenever necessary to ensure their safety.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the safety of pilgrims remains the government's top priority. He said necessary arrangements have been made at the four dhams and various stops along the pilgrimage routes, while district magistrates in the concerned districts are monitoring the arrangements.