Uttarakhand CM Dhami urges pilgrimage push amid soaring Char Dham Yatra footfall

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday underscored the critical role of pilgrimage and tourism in driving Uttarakhand’s comprehensive development.

Highlighting the cultural and spiritual essence of the state, CM Dhami said that expanding pilgrimage and tourism activities across regions is vital for Uttarakhand’s overall progress.

"The state government is committed to enhancing basic infrastructure across all pilgrimage sites. Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi, here every temple has its own importance. The government is trying to develop basic facilities at all pilgrimage sites," said CM Dhami, reaffirming the government's dedication to upgrading infrastructure and accessibility at spiritual destinations.

This year’s Chardham Yatra has witnessed an unprecedented response, with nearly 32 lakh pilgrims already completing their visits to the sacred sites. Devotees are increasingly extending their journeys to include other temples and spiritual locations outside the traditional Chardham circuit, contributing to a broader spread of economic activity.

According to an official release, total registrations for the Chardham and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimages have exceeded 44 lakh this season. The data reveals the following registrations: Yamunotri – 7,13,456; Gangotri – 7,80,554; Kedarnath – 14,43,513; Badrinath – 13,36,923; and Hemkund Sahib – 1,69,180. The completion of nearly 32 lakh pilgrimages is significantly benefiting local economies along the routes.

In a strategic move to decentralise tourism benefits, CM Dhami has encouraged visits to emerging pilgrimage destinations. Temples such as the Kartikeya Swami Temple in Rudraprayag and the Jagannath Temple in Uttarkashi have seen substantial growth in footfall. Last year, Kartikeya Swami Temple welcomed about 4 lakh devotees, a number that has already surged past 10 lakh by mid-June this year. The Jagannath Temple, too, has drawn 25,000 pilgrims so far.

This rising interest in peripheral temples is fostering growth in ancillary sectors such as hospitality, transportation, prasad services, and local businesses, thus enhancing regional employment and economic vitality across Uttarakhand.