Char Dham Yatra 2025: 47 lakh pilgrims in 114 days, surpasses last year
Synopsis
Despite an active monsoon season, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 has already drawn 47 lakh pilgrims in 114 days — nearly 4.69 lakh more than the same period last year. With Badrinath alone adding 3.5 lakh extra visitors year-on-year and the season still running, Uttarakhand is on track for a record-breaking yatra.
Key Takeaways
47,02,703 pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines in 114 days as of 10 August 2025 .
Footfall exceeds the same period last year by 4,68,556 devotees .
Badrinath leads with 16,12,112 visitors; Kedarnath follows with 14,50,116 .
On 10 August alone, 15,376 pilgrims visited despite inclement weather.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has placed the Disaster Management Department on round-the-clock alert for monsoon emergencies.
The yatra began on 19 April 2025 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri portals.
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is on course to set a new attendance record in 2025, with 47,02,703 pilgrims visiting the four sacred shrines in just 114 days — surpassing the corresponding figure from last year by 4,68,556 devotees. The milestone was recorded as of Monday, 10 August, even as the active monsoon season continued to pose logistical challenges across the mountain routes.
Shrine-wise Footfall
Badrinath has drawn the largest share of pilgrims, with 16,12,112 visitors since the yatra began — 3,50,192 more than during the same period last year. Kedarnath follows with 14,50,116 pilgrims, while Gangotri has received 7,37,629 and Yamunotri 6,62,347. An additional 2,40,499 devotees have paid obeisance at Hemkund Sahib.
On Monday alone, 15,376 pilgrims undertook the journey despite inclement weather and official advisories urging caution. Badrinath recorded the highest single-day footfall at 9,559, followed by Kedarnath at 4,170, Gangotri at 1,204, and Yamunotri at 443.
Government's Safety Measures
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to place pilgrim safety above all operational targets. The state government is actively regulating the flow of devotees and temporarily suspending movement whenever weather conditions demand it.
Dhami stated: 'Given the active monsoon, the Disaster Management Department is on round-the-clock alert. District Magistrates have been instructed to remain vigilant so that relief and rescue operations can begin immediately in case of any emergency. Pilgrims are advised to undertake the journey only after considering the weather conditions.'
Security personnel have been deployed at landslide-prone locations along the route, and Dhami is personally monitoring developments through the State Disaster Control Room.
Yatra Timeline and Arrangements
The Char Dham Yatra 2025 commenced on 19 April with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Badrinath pilgrimage, which opened on 23 April, completed 110 days on 10 August. Comprehensive arrangements for accommodation, food, and security have been made along the entire route.
What the Numbers Signal
The year-on-year increase of nearly 4.69 lakh pilgrims in the same 114-day window reflects a sustained rise in religious tourism to Uttarakhand despite recurring monsoon disruptions. This comes amid broader state efforts to improve road connectivity and disaster-response infrastructure along the yatra corridors — investments that appear to be translating into greater pilgrim confidence. With the season still ongoing, the final tally is widely expected to exceed previous annual records.
Point of View
Not a triumph to be celebrated without caveat. The state's decision to regulate flow and pause operations during adverse weather is the right instinct, but the true measure will be whether that discipline holds when political pressure to keep routes open intensifies. Uttarakhand's long-term yatra economy depends on safety credibility, not just headline numbers.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pilgrims have visited Char Dham in 2025 so far?
As of 10 August 2025, a total of 47,02,703 pilgrims had visited the four Char Dham shrines in 114 days since the yatra began on 19 April. This exceeds the corresponding figure from 2024 by 4,68,556 devotees.
Which Char Dham shrine has received the most pilgrims in 2025?
Badrinath has recorded the highest footfall with 16,12,112 visitors, followed by Kedarnath at 14,50,116, Gangotri at 7,37,629, and Yamunotri at 6,62,347. Hemkund Sahib has additionally received 2,40,499 devotees.
What safety measures are in place for Char Dham Yatra during the monsoon?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has placed the Disaster Management Department on round-the-clock alert and instructed District Magistrates to remain vigilant for emergencies. Security personnel are deployed at landslide-prone locations, pilgrim flow is being regulated, and operations are temporarily paused when weather conditions demand it.
When did the Char Dham Yatra 2025 begin?
The Char Dham Yatra 2025 began on 19 April with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Badrinath pilgrimage commenced on 23 April and completed 110 days as of 10 August.
Is the Char Dham Yatra 2025 on track to set a new record?
Yes, with 47 lakh pilgrims in 114 days already surpassing last year's corresponding count by over 4.68 lakh, the yatra is widely expected to exceed previous annual records before the season concludes.
