Chardham Yatra concludes, record 56 lakh pilgrims visit Himalayan shrines this time
The Chardham Yatra, covering the pilgrimage to the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in the Himalayan region, witnessed a substantial increase in the number of pilgrims, reaching a record figure of 56,13,635 as of Saturday. This marked a notable increase of 10 lakh pilgrims compared to the previous year.
The Chardham Yatra holds immense significance for devotees, drawing them from various parts of the country to embark on a sacred journey to these revered Himalayan shrines. The pilgrimage season concluded on Saturday with the closure of the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham for the winter season. The customary practice of closing the portals during winter ensures the safety of the sacred idols and infrastructure in the harsh weather conditions, and the shrines will reopen for pilgrims in the next season.
The record-breaking number of pilgrims reflects the enduring popularity and spiritual importance of the Chardham Yatra, with devotees undertaking the pilgrimage for religious fulfillment and to seek blessings from the revered deities at these sacred sites.
The surge in the number of pilgrims reflects the continued significance and popularity of the Chardham Yatra, drawing devotees from various parts of the country to undertake the sacred journey to these revered Himalayan shrines. The closure of the portals for the winter season is a customary practice, and the shrines will reopen for pilgrims in the next season.
The Himalayan shrines, including the world-famous Chardham Yatra, witnessed a record number of pilgrims, totaling 56,13,635 as of Saturday. This marked a significant increase of 10 lakh pilgrims compared to the previous year.
Dr. Harish Gaur, the media in-charge of the Badri Kedar Temple Committee, shared that on the fifth day of Panch Puja on Saturday, a unique ritual takes place where the rawal (chief priest) of the temple himself wears female costumes and takes Mata Lakshmi to the sanctum sanctorum of the Badrinath temple.
The record-breaking number of pilgrims reflects the enduring popularity and spiritual significance of the Chardham Yatra, attracting devotees from various regions to embark on the sacred journey to the revered Himalayan shrines. The distinctive rituals and traditions add to the cultural and religious richness of the pilgrimage experience.
“It is believed that it is forbidden to touch Goddess Lakshmi by ‘other-man’, so Rawal himself wears a female dress and installs the idol of Mata Lakshmi in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple,” Dr Gaur said. The Chardham Yatra also concluded on Saturday.
“A record 56,13,635 pilgrims came to Uttarakhand to visit Chardham and Hemkund Sahib this year, which is an unprecedented record in itself as well as more than 10 lakh pilgrims 4627292 who came during last year’s Chardham Yatra period,” Badri Kedar Temple Committee president Ajendra Ajay told The New Indian Express.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the committee said, “This time 735244 pilgrims visited Yamunotri Dham, 9,05,174 to Gangotri Dham, 1961025 to Kedarnath Dham, 1834729 to Badrinath Dham and 177463 to Hemkund Sahib”.
Dr. Harish Gaur explained that, during the Panch Puja on the fifth day, it is believed to be forbidden for an “other-man” to touch Goddess Lakshmi. As a result, the rawal (chief priest) himself wears a female dress and installs the idol of Mata Lakshmi in the sanctum sanctorum of the Badrinath temple.
The Chardham Yatra, including the pilgrimage to the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, concluded on Saturday. The pilgrimage season saw a record-breaking number of 56,13,635 pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to the previous year, with more than 10 lakh additional pilgrims participating in this year’s Chardham Yatra.
Ajendra Ajay, the president of the Badri Kedar Temple Committee, highlighted the unprecedented nature of this record, surpassing the pilgrim count from the previous Chardham Yatra period. The spokesperson of the committee provided a breakdown of pilgrim numbers for each Dham, with significant visitations to Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Badrinath Dham, and Hemkund Sahib.
