Uttarakhand Char Dham yatra: After pandemic, Kedarnath witnesses maximum pilgrim influx instead of Badrinath
Dehradun: Till 2019, the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand had been witnessing maximum footfall of pilgrims during Char Dham yatra. But this trend has shown a shift in 2020 after the spread of COVID-19 in India. Now, despite a long and arduous trekking route of 16km, maximum devotees want to visit Kedarnath shrine to pay their obeisance. The number of devotees visiting Badrinath is declining every year in comparison to Kedarnath.
Around 4 lakh visitors Kedarnath in 12 days
According to the bulletin released by Rudraprayag administration about pilgrim’s footfall, a total of 3,91,590 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath shrine in the last 12 days after portal opening on 10 May this month. The everyday footfall in Kedarnath shrine is making new records with each passing day. On Wednesday, 33,715 devotees visited the shrine in a single day. On the other hand, the total number of visitors reached Badrinath shrine after 12 May is 1,78521 lakhs and 20,180 pilgrims visited Badrinath only on 22 May, Wednesday.
Kedarnath pilgrimage include an arduous trekking
Unlike Badrinath shrine, Kedarnath pilgrimage includes a 16 km long arduous trekking which takes around 8-9 hours to reach the shrine from the base in Gaurikund. Pilgrims take the help of mules and Dandi-Kandi (Basket and palanquins) to cover this journey. Heli-services are also available for Kedarnath shrine as pilgrims use helicopters to reach the shrine. In Badrinath, a devotee can reach the shrine by using a vehicle and no trekking is required.
Badrinath is among the country’s four Char Dham
Badrinath is one of Lord Vishnu’s abodes and a revered shrine among the four Char Dham shrines of the country including Dwarka in Gujarat, Jagannath Puri in Orissa, and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. Known as ‘Baikunth Dham’ on earth, it holds a significant importance for the pilgrims. The word ‘Badrinath’ was derived from the word ‘Badri’ which means a popular Basil that is grown there. Pilgrims willing to visit all four shrines in the country, evidently visit Badrinath.
Maximum footfall of pilgrims in Badrinath till 2019
Till 2019, most of the devotees used to reach Badrinath among the four shrines in Uttarakhand. In 2019, 12.44 lakh people visited Badrinath temple and 9.98 lakh people visited Kedarnath. But this trend has started showing a change and 19.28 lakh reached Kedarnath and 17.46 lakh reached Badrinath during Char Dham yatra in 2023.
After 2013 deluge, Kedarnath shows a growing number of pilgrims
During 2013 Char Dham Yatra, the Kedarnath shrine witnessed devastating floods, bringing this shrine to rubble. After which the number of devotees visiting the temple has been increasing every year. Before the Covid-19, around 9.98 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath. Due to the Covid restrictions, this number dwindled to 1.34 lakh in 2020 and 2.47 lakh in 2021. Following the ease of restrictions, the number of pilgrims increased to 15.65 lakhs in 2022.
PM Modi’s frequent visits also a key factor
After holding the post of PM in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been visiting the Kedarnath shrine from time to time. At the end of election campaigning in 2019, he directly came to Kedarnath shrine to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. He spent the whole night and meditated inside Kedar Cave, built near the shrine. After which, these videos started doing the round on social media and influenced and motivated the youth to visit this shrine. On several occasions, PM Modi has expressed his devotion for Kedarnath, which is one among the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country.