lakhs of devotees paid obeisance to the world famous shrines of the Char Dham, including lord Badrinath, lord Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib, since the Char Dham Yatra formally began May 13. A total of 11,37,675 devotees visited the shrines till June 10.
Interestingly, more than six lakh devotees visited the shrines in the month of May before onset of Monsoon since rains often creates hurdles on the Yatra route.
According to available figure, a total 6,21,838 devotees visited the holy places. The lord Badrinath Temple received a maximum 2,38,116 devotees in second fortnight of May after opening of the portals on May 16. Similarly, 1,49, 889 devotees offered prayers to lord Kedarnath from May 14 when Portals of the lord Kedarnah Temple were opened.
From May 13, a total of 1,05,617 devotees visited Shri Gangotri Dham followed by Shri Yamunotri Dham that witnessed inflow of 1,15,786 devotees. Shri Hemkund Sahib received 12,430 devotees since May 25 to May 31.
Till June 10, number of devotees visiting the shrines, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib, swelled to 11,37,675 lakh.
From June 1 to 10, lord Badrinath Temple attracted total 1,91,673 devotees who offered prayers to lord Badrinath. likewise, lord Kedarnath Temple received 1,34,509 devotees in this span.
According to available figures, 66,034 devotees visited Gangotri during first 10-day followed by 84,881 to Yamunotri. A total of 38,740 devotees visited Hemkund Sahib in the same duration. Thus, a total of 6,21,838 devotees visited the shrines in the first 10 days of the June. However from the opening of the Yatra on May 13, a total of 11,37,675 devotees paid obeisance to the holy places.
Officer on Special duty Yogendra Kumar Gangwar said that Yatra administration was taking care of the facilities of the devotees. Several medical camps have been set up along the Yatra routes so that the devotees could immediate treatment in case of any health problem.
He said that it was being ensured that vehicular traffic could move smoothly on the route. In case of road blockade, clearing of the road is ensured in minimum possible time so that traffic could move smoothly and there be no inconvenience to the people going on the Yatra.
Asked why the yatra administration to ensure proper clearing of the road, he said that the administration took all efforts and was taking continuous efforts to ensure the facilities to the devotees. He said that even after clearing of the road, some big boulders come on the road. The administration ensures that they are removed immediately.
He said that huge crowd of the devotees show that the administration’s effort has yielded desired results as large number of devotees was visiting the site. So far, there has been no major traffic jam on the route. He hoped that the number of devotees would swell in near future.
Despite tall claims of the arrangements by the Yatra administration, the devotees visiting the places are facing inconvenience that became a routine affair due to poor roads. National Highway to Gangotri was blocked at Malpani due to debris on the road on Friday morning. Normalcy of traffic movement was restored when the debris was removed from the road following strenuous efforts by the officials.