Dehradun: Uttarakhand is witnessing an unprecedented spiritual movement, with pilgrims from across the globe registering for the Char Dham Yatra. According to the Tourism Department, over 28 lakh registrations have been recorded, with 31,581 devotees hailing from more than 150 countries.
Among the top countries contributing to this surge are the USA, Nepal, Malaysia, UK, Australia, and Canada. Nepal leads the foreign registrations with 5,728 devotees, followed closely by 5,864 from the USA, 1,559 from the UK, and significant participation from Mauritius, Indonesia, Canada, and Australia.
Char Dham shrines has already welcomed over 7.18 lakh devotees
The Char Dham Yatra, which began on April 30, has already welcomed over 7.18 lakh devotees. The massive influx has led to an increase in offline registrations, as online slots fill up rapidly. Daily registrations in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Herbertpur, and Vikasnagar have crossed 18,000, reflecting the growing enthusiasm among pilgrims eager to visit Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib.
With devotees from every corner of the world embarking on this sacred journey, the Char Dham Yatra continues to strengthen its status as a global pilgrimage destination.
Uttarakhand has significantly strengthened security measures
As the Char Dham Yatra welcomes pilgrims from across the world, Uttarakhand has significantly strengthened security measures following recent heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Despite an announced ceasefire, authorities remain on high alert, deploying specialized forces to ensure the safety of devotees. The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has been stationed along the Char Dham route for the first time in history, while additional forces, including the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) at Badrinath Dham, a bomb disposal squad at Kedarnath, and paramilitary units at Gangotri and Yamunotri, bolster security along the pilgrimage paths.
6,000 police personnel have been deployed this year pilgrimage
IG Garhwal and Char Dham Yatra Nodal Officer, Rajiv Swaroop, emphasized that although preparations had begun months ago, evolving geopolitical circumstances necessitated enhanced security measures. “Last year, approximately 5,000 police personnel were deployed during the pilgrimage season. This year, their number has increased to 6,000,” he stated, adding that six companies of paramilitary forces have been strategically placed to address potential concerns. With this reinforced security infrastructure, authorities aim to safeguard the spiritual journey for devotees traveling from across India and the world.
