Dehradun: The Char Dham Yatra, one of India’s most revered pilgrimages, has seen a 26% decline in footfall during its opening week, compared to the same period last year.
However, government officials attribute this dip to better planning and staggered registrations, ensuring a smoother and less congested pilgrimage experience.
Decline in footfall: Numbers compared to 2024
Between April 30 and May 6, nearly 2.9 lakh devotees visited the four Himalayan shrines—Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. In contrast, 3.9 lakh pilgrims had taken part in the Yatra during the same period in 2024, marking a drop of around 1 lakh pilgrims in the first week this year.
Despite this initial slowdown, the pilgrimage is expected to witness a surge as summer vacations approach. Over 26 lakh people have already registered, indicating a larger crowd in the upcoming weeks. The breakdown of registrations as of Thursday includes 8.8 lakh pilgrims for Kedarnath, 7.9 lakh for Badrinath, 4.6 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.2 lakh for Yamunotri.
Government’s strategy to manage pilgrim flow
Officials attribute the dip to improved planning, which helped streamline pilgrim movement and prevent overcrowding. To ensure a controlled flow, the Uttarakhand government opened online registration 40 days before the Yatra began, giving pilgrims ample time to plan. Limited offline registrations were allowed to prevent sudden influxes, and stricter verification processes, including mandatory Aadhaar checks and enhanced document screening, were put in place for added security.
State Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj remarked, “By staggering the registration and increasing offline booking counters, we have successfully avoided initial congestion. The coming weeks will see more controlled and organized pilgrim flow.”
Staggered shrine openings
Experts also suggest that the staggered opening of the Char Dham shrines has contributed to a slower build-up of pilgrims. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath followed on May 12—leading to a concentrated influx of devotees in early May. In 2025, the shrines opened on separate dates: Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on April 30, Kedarnath followed on May 2, and Badrinath opened on May 4. This spread-out schedule led to a gradual flow rather than a sudden rush, which is expected to increase as peak season arrives.
Experts call for balanced approach to pilgrimage management
Anoop Nautiyal, founder of the Dehradun based SDC Foundation, highlighted the need for sustainable pilgrimage planning beyond just numbers. He stated, “The Char Dham Yatra should be treated as a spiritually sacred and environmentally delicate exercise, not just as a tourism event. Authorities must ensure long-term sustainability, avoiding ecological damage while managing pilgrim flow efficiently.”
While the initial numbers reflect a temporary dip, the expected surge in footfall due to over 26 lakh registrations suggests the Char Dham Yatra will continue to draw large numbers in the coming weeks.
