The ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed an unprecedented surge in pilgrim turnout this year, with the total number of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines crossing 37 lakh. However, the pilgrimage season has also been marked by a concerning rise in fatalities, with 198 deaths reported so far, according to official data.
The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 37.35 lakh pilgrims had visited the four sacred shrines Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri by June 18. Among them, Kedarnath recorded the highest footfall with over 12.6 lakh visitors, followed by Badrinath with nearly 11.7 lakh devotees. Gangotri and Yamunotri also witnessed heavy pilgrim traffic, while more than one lakh devotees visited Hemkund Sahib.
Officials said the yatra routes continue to experience heavy movement, with thousands of pilgrims and vehicles arriving daily. More than 3.5 lakh vehicles have travelled along the pilgrimage routes since the season began, reflecting the growing popularity of the annual religious journey.
At the same time, health concerns have emerged as a major challenge. Of the 198 reported deaths, 195 were attributed to medical complications and deteriorating health conditions, while three deaths occurred due to natural causes. Kedarnath accounted for the highest number of fatalities, followed by Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. Authorities have repeatedly advised elderly pilgrims and those suffering from heart, respiratory or blood pressure-related ailments to undergo proper medical examinations before undertaking the high-altitude pilgrimage.
The Char Dham Yatra remains one of India's largest religious pilgrimages and a crucial pillar of Uttarakhand’s tourism economy. With registrations already running at record levels this season, authorities are strengthening medical facilities, monitoring weather conditions and urging devotees to follow safety guidelines to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage experience.
