15,314 Pilgrims Visit Winter Chardham Shrines Amid Unprecedented Rush

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], December 31: The Winter Chardham Yatra is witnessing an extraordinary surge in the number of devotees, with more than 15,000 pilgrims having visited the sacred shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri so far.

As of December 30, a total of 15,314 pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage to these holy sites. The surge in the number of devotees highlights the increasing enthusiasm for the Winter Chardham Yatra. According to the latest data from the state government, the distribution of pilgrims across the four shrines is as follows:

• 6,482 pilgrims have visited Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, which serves as the winter abode of Baba Kedarnath.
• 5,104 pilgrims have visited Lord Badrivishal at Pandukeshwar.
• 3,114 devotees have paid their respects to Mother Ganga at Mukhaba, the winter residence of Gangotri.
• 614 pilgrims have visited Mother Yamuna at Kharsali, the winter abode of Yamunotri.

The Winter Chardham Yatra continues to gain momentum, even amid the cold weather and snowfall, with the devotees remaining undeterred in their spiritual journey. Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, officially inaugurated the Panchkedar Winter Yatra at Omkareshwar Temple on December 8. Despite the harsh winter conditions, there is a palpable sense of excitement among the devotees, who arrive daily to witness the palanquin of Baba Kedarnath and Lord Madmaheshwar, both seated at Omkareshwar Temple for the winter.

At Omkareshwar Temple, where the idols of Lord Kedarnath and Lord Madmaheshwar remain for six months, hundreds of devotees gather each day to seek blessings. On Monday alone, 518 devotees had the privilege of seeing Baba Kedarnath, while 364 pilgrims visited Lord Badrivishal in Pandukeshwar. Additionally, 18 pilgrims visited Mukhaba, and 8 pilgrims made their way to Kharsali.

The local administration has taken extensive measures to ensure the convenience and safety of the pilgrims, particularly by providing strong protection against the bitter cold.

Meanwhile, the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, with the cooperation of the District Police Administration, has reported an all-time high in the number of pilgrims visiting the Dhams during the 2024 Yatra season. According to official figures, a record-breaking 30,87,417 pilgrims have visited Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams this year, marking a significant increase in the yatra’s popularity.

The exceptional turnout underscores the growing significance of the Chardham pilgrimage, even during the winter season, and highlights the unwavering faith of devotees who continue to flock to these revered shrines.