The Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra, a sacred journey revered by 800 million Sanatani Hindus worldwide, continues to break records, generating an impressive Rs 200 crore in revenue within just the first month of the pilgrimage.
This spiritual event not only enriches devotees but also serves as a vital pillar of Uttarakhand’s economy, with hotel operators alone contributing over Rs 100 crore, according to official sources.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized the Yatra’s significance, saying, "The government's goal is not just to provide facilities to pilgrims, but also to economically empower local youth, women, and traders."
Bansidhar Tiwari, Director General Information for Uttarakhand, underscored the importance of helicopter services for ensuring accessibility and safety during the pilgrimage.
"Helicopter services play a pivotal role in the Kedarnath Dham Yatra. They provide an opportunity for devotees unable to undertake the arduous trek to have darshan of Baba. Moreover, these services are crucial in rescue operations, daily evacuating two to three individuals facing medical emergencies to higher medical centres in a timely manner," Tiwari told TNIE.
Rahul Chaube, District Tourism Officer and Nodal Officer for Heli Services, added details about aerial operations: "This year, eight helicopter companies are operating from nine helipads. As of Saturday, approximately 33,000 pilgrims have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham via helicopter services, generating an income of nearly Rs 35 crore."
The pilgrimage to the 11th Jyotirlinga, located high in the Himalayas, involves a challenging 20-kilometer trek. Along this route, ponies and mules play an essential role.
Dr. Ashish Rawat, Chief Veterinary Officer, confirmed their importance: "As of Saturday, 1,39,444 pilgrims have completed their darshan with the help of ponies and mules, contributing over Rs 40.5 crore in revenue."
On the trekking route, ‘Dandi-Kandi’ (palanquin) services are also vital for devotees unable to walk.
Sanjay Kumar, Additional Chief Officer, Rudraprayag District Panchayat, shared figures on this service: "Over 7,000 Dandi-Kandi operators are registered for this year's Yatra. By Saturday, 29,275 pilgrims had utilized these services, generating an income of Rs 1.16 crore."
Accommodation for the numerous pilgrims along the route and in Kedarpuri is managed by GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) and local businesses.
Girwar Rawat, Regional Manager of GMVN, explained: "GMVN has 15 establishments along the Kedarnath Yatra route, including the Dhyan Gufa (meditation cave). Collectively, these have generated revenue of Rs 3.80 crore within a month."
He further highlighted the economic impact, stating, "An average pilgrim spends a minimum of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 on accommodation and food, through which hotels and restaurants alone have collectively garnered Rs 100 crore in business."
The pilgrimage often starts with shuttle services connecting Sonprayag to Gaurikund. Kulwant Singh Chauhan, Assistant Transport Officer, Rudraprayag, detailed: "This year, 225 vehicles are registered for the shuttle service for the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. As of Sunday, 7 lakh pilgrims have reached the Dham, indicating that taxi operators have earned approximately Rs 7 crore through these shuttle services so far."