Badrinath, November 18, 2024 — The iconic Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand concluded for 2024 with the closing of Badrinath’s sacred gates on Sunday. This year’s pilgrimage season witnessed an overwhelming turnout of 46,17,445 devotees, surpassing previous records.

Highlights of the 2024 Yatra

The Char Dham Yatra, which includes visits to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, began on May 10, 2024, and concluded with the seasonal closure of Badrinath’s gates on November 17, 2024.

• Badrinath Dham: Welcomed 14,35,341 pilgrims between May 12 and November 17.
• Kedarnath Dham: Received 16,52,076 devotees from May 10 to November 3.
• Gangotri Dham: Hosted 8,15,273 visitors, with its gates opening on May 10 and closing first on November 2.
• Yamunotri Dham: Witnessed 7,14,755 pilgrims from May 10 to November 3.
• Hemkund Sahib and Lokpal Temple: Saw 1,83,722 visitors between May 25 and October 10.

Challenges and Resilience

The Yatra faced disruptions due to heavy rainfall and natural calamities in July, particularly affecting the Kedarnath route. Despite these challenges, the enthusiasm of pilgrims remained undeterred, with over 16 lakh devotees visiting Kedarnath alone.

Shortened Duration

This year’s Yatra lasted only 153 days, compared to 205 days in 2023, due to weather challenges. However, the daily average of pilgrims increased to 31,372 per day, compared to 26,743 last year.

Record-Breaking Potential

If the Yatra had continued uninterrupted for 205 days like the previous year, officials estimate the total number of pilgrims could have exceeded 64 lakh, setting a new record.

Key Observations

• Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee reported a combined total of 30,87,417 pilgrims visiting the two shrines.
• Despite reduced days, the Yatra witnessed higher daily turnout, showcasing the growing spiritual interest among devotees.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 Char Dham Yatra has set the stage for an even grander season next year. The gates of these revered shrines will reopen in April-May 2025, once again inviting pilgrims from across the globe to embark on this spiritual journey.

The successful conclusion of this year’s Yatra highlights the dedication of the temple committees, local authorities, and the unwavering faith of millions of devotees.