Chamoli-The annual pilgrimage to Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district has set a new record this year, with more than 18.67 lakh devotees having visited the revered shrine so far.
The figure has already crossed the previous record of 18.39 lakh pilgrims recorded in 2023. The milestone was reached in the first week of October, with the shrine continuing to attract a steady stream of devotees.
With the pilgrimage season still underway, the number of visitors is expected to cross the 20-lakh mark if the current pace continues. Authorities are monitoring the growing pilgrim movement and making arrangements to manage the increasing footfall.
More than 14,000 devotees visited Badrinath on Sunday alone and offered prayers at the shrine. The rise in pilgrim numbers has also increased traffic on roads leading to the temple.
The 2023 pilgrimage had recorded the highest-ever footfall at Badrinath at that time, with 18.39 lakh devotees visiting the shrine. The record has now been surpassed well before the end of this year’s pilgrimage season.
The renewed surge in pilgrim movement has been particularly visible during the second phase of the Char Dham Yatra following the monsoon season. Badrinath remains one of the four major pilgrimage sites that form Uttarakhand’s Char Dham circuit.
Authorities have stepped up monitoring and preparedness along the pilgrimage route, with the safety and security of devotees remaining a key priority. The Disaster Management Department has been kept on round-the-clock alert in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which are important points along the Char Dham route.
The sharp increase in pilgrim and vehicle movement has also created traffic challenges along stretches of the Badrinath National Highway. Congestion has been reported at several locations, particularly on the route between Karnaprayag and Badrinath, resulting in delays for pilgrims travelling to the shrine.
Officials continue to monitor traffic and other arrangements as thousands of devotees make their way to Badrinath and the pilgrimage count moves towards the 20-lakh milestone.
–IANS