Latest news with #ShriKedarnathDhamYatra
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Faith and fortune: Kedarnath yatra fuels Rs 200 crore economic boom in one month
DEHRADUN: The Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra, a beacon of faith for 800 million Sanatani Hindus worldwide, is consistently setting new benchmarks, with this year's pilgrimage already generating an astounding Rs 200 crore in revenue within just one month of its commencement. This spiritual journey is not only a profound experience for devotees but also the backbone of Uttarakhand's economy, with 'hotel operators alone accounting for over Rs 100 crore of this impressive sum,' official sources revealed. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami affirmed the Yatra's role as Uttarakhand's spiritual and cultural axis. He stated, "The government's goal is not just to provide facilities to pilgrims, but also to economically empower local youth, women, and traders."
India Gazette
4 days ago
- India Gazette
Number of devotees visiting Kedarnath Dham crosses 7 lakh, CM Dhami says goal is to empower locals
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 1 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra has become the axis of faith and culture of Uttarakhand. The government's goal is not only to provide facilities to the pilgrims, but also to economically empower the local youth, women and traders. CM Dhami said, 'We are trying to take every possible step towards making the journey safe, smooth and prosperous. Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is setting new records every year. On the one hand, while the number of devotees arriving from the country and abroad to visit Baba Kedarnath is setting new records, the employment of local people is also getting continuous benefits from the increasing travel.' 'On the other hand, the government is also getting huge revenue from the facilities being provided by the government administration to the devotees arriving on the Yatra. One month has passed since Baba's doors opened, and in this one month, from government facilities to local traders, they have done business of more than two billion. Since the beginning of the month of June, the number of devotees has started increasing continuously, which will benefit the local traders and women self-help groups,' he said. For the year 2025, the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees on May 2. One month has passed since the doors of Baba were opened. On Sunday, June 1, the number of devotees visiting Baba Kedarnath Dham has crossed 7 lakh. If the average of the last one month is taken, then 24 thousand devotees have reached Kedarpuri for Baba's darshan every day. Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. After crossing a difficult walking route of about 20 kilometres, one can have darshan of the 11th Jyotilinga situated in the lap of the Himalayan mountains. Horses and mules play a very important role in this difficult religious journey on foot. Incapable and elderly devotees often travel through them, while food items and other essential items are transported to the Yatra route and Kedarpuri by these horses and mules. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ashish Rawat said that till May 31, 1,39,444 pilgrims have reached for darshan through horses and mules, through which an income of more than 40 crore 50 lakhs has been received. He said that this year, due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse mule operation was also affected for a few days. Heli services have an important role in the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Through heli services, devotees who are unable to travel on foot in any condition get a chance to see Baba. At the same time, heli services are playing an important role in the rescue operation. Every day two to three people facing medical emergencies are rescued to higher centers on time through heli services. District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service Rahul Chaubey said that this year, eight heli companies are operating from nine helipads. Till May 31, about 33,000 devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services, due to which an income of about Rs 35 crore has been received. Chaubey appealed to the devotees to book heli booking from the official website of IRCTC. The operation of dandi-kandi is as important as the operation of horses and mules on the Shri Kedarnath Dham foot journey route. Many devotees who are unable to walk prefer to travel by dandi-kandi instead of dandi-kandi. It is also considered safer for small children. Apart from this, many devotees travel on foot themselves and reach Kedarpuri with the help of only similar dandi-kandi. Additional Chief Officer District Panchayat Rudraprayag Sanjay Kumar said that more than 7000 dandi-kandi operators are registered for this year's journey. Till May 31, 29275 devotees have traveled through dandi-kandi, from which an income of one crore 16 lakh, 89 thousand 100 rupees has been received. At the same time, fines of Rs 2,26,000 have also been collected by challaning various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules. Assistant Transport Officer Rudraprayag Kulwant Singh Chauhan said that this year 225 vehicles are registered for the shuttle service in Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Devotees reach Gaurikund from Sonprayag in these vehicles. So far more than seven lakh devotees have reached Shri Kedarnath Dham. Every pilgrim has to pay 50 rupees for going and 50 rupees for returning to Sonprayag. Till June 1, 7 lakh devotees have reached the Dham, which means till now taxi operators have earned about 7 crore rupees through shuttle service. This year, taking a new initiative, 25 vehicles have been reserved for women and the elderly. An average of 10 passengers can travel in each vehicle. Stickers have also been put on these vehicles. In the first phase, only 25 vehicles have been taken for this. If the experiment is successful and the need for more vehicles is felt, then the number of vehicles can be increased. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Number of devotees visiting Uttarakhand's Kedarnath Dham crosses 7 lakh
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra has become the axis of faith and culture of Uttarakhand. The government's goal is not only to provide facilities to the pilgrims, but also to economically empower the local youth, women and traders. CM Dhami said, "We are trying to take every possible step towards making the journey safe, smooth and prosperous. Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is setting new records every year. On the one hand, while the number of devotees arriving from the country and abroad to visit Baba Kedarnath is setting new records, the employment of local people is also getting continuous benefits from the increasing travel." "On the other hand, the government is also getting huge revenue from the facilities being provided by the government administration to the devotees arriving on the Yatra. One month has passed since Baba's doors opened, and in this one month, from government facilities to local traders, they have done business of more than two billion. Since the beginning of the month of June, the number of devotees has started increasing continuously, which will benefit the local traders and women self-help groups," he said. For the year 2025, the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees on May 2. One month has passed since the doors of Baba were opened. On Sunday, June 1, the number of devotees visiting Baba Kedarnath Dham has crossed 7 lakh. If the average of the last one month is taken, then 24 thousand devotees have reached Kedarpuri for Baba's darshan every day. Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. After crossing a difficult walking route of about 20 kilometres, one can have darshan of the 11th Jyotilinga situated in the lap of the Himalayan mountains. Horses and mules play a very important role in this difficult religious journey on foot. Incapable and elderly devotees often travel through them, while food items and other essential items are transported to the Yatra route and Kedarpuri by these horses and mules. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ashish Rawat said that till May 31, 1,39,444 pilgrims have reached for darshan through horses and mules, through which an income of more than 40 crore 50 lakhs has been received. He said that this year, due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse mule operation was also affected for a few days. Heli services have an important role in the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Through heli services, devotees who are unable to travel on foot in any condition get a chance to see Baba. At the same time, heli services are playing an important role in the rescue operation. Every day two to three people facing medical emergencies are rescued to higher centers on time through heli services. District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service Rahul Chaubey said that this year, eight heli companies are operating from nine helipads. Till May 31, about 33,000 devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services, due to which an income of about ₹35 crore has been received. Chaubey appealed to the devotees to book heli booking from the official website of IRCTC. The operation of dandi-kandi is as important as the operation of horses and mules on the Shri Kedarnath Dham foot journey route. Many devotees who are unable to walk prefer to travel by dandi-kandi instead of dandi-kandi. It is also considered safer for small children. Apart from this, many devotees travel on foot themselves and reach Kedarpuri with the help of only similar dandi-kandi. Additional Chief Officer District Panchayat Rudraprayag Sanjay Kumar said that more than 7000 dandi-kandi operators are registered for this year's journey. Till May 31, 29275 devotees have traveled through dandi-kandi, from which an income of one crore 16 lakh, 89 thousand 100 rupees has been received. At the same time, fines of ₹2,26,000 have also been collected by challaning various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules. Assistant Transport Officer Rudraprayag Kulwant Singh Chauhan said that this year 225 vehicles are registered for the shuttle service in Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Devotees reach Gaurikund from Sonprayag in these vehicles. So far more than seven lakh devotees have reached Shri Kedarnath Dham. Every pilgrim has to pay 50 rupees for going and 50 rupees for returning to Sonprayag. Till June 1, 7 lakh devotees have reached the Dham, which means till now taxi operators have earned about 7 crore rupees through shuttle service. This year, taking a new initiative, 25 vehicles have been reserved for women and the elderly. An average of 10 passengers can travel in each vehicle. Stickers have also been put on these vehicles. In the first phase, only 25 vehicles have been taken for this. If the experiment is successful and the need for more vehicles is felt, then the number of vehicles can be increased. (ANI)
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
Kedarnath Yatra 2025: Helicopter services now available from Sonprayag
Sonprayag, Uttarakhand, has inaugurated helicopter services for the 2025 Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. For pilgrims who are unable to make the arduous 16-kilometer trip from Gaurikund, this project seeks to offer a quick and easy way to get to the hallowed temple. Service overview About 20 to 30 flights are planned each day, and the helicopter services are available every day, weather permitting. Five to six people can fit on each flight, guaranteeing a quick trip to the temple. Authorized operators oversee the services, and reservations can be made offline at Sector Magistrate or District Magistrate offices as well as online at the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal. About 150 online reservations are handled every day, and advance reservations are available for a month. Read more: Chill out this summer: 9 Indian spots that feel like winter Safety and security measures Passenger safety is a top priority. Each passenger undergoes a thorough briefing before departure, and flight operations are contingent upon favorable weather conditions. Flights are canceled in the event of bad weather in order to maintain safety. At the helipads, security has been bolstered, and staff have been sent in to control crowds and guarantee seamless operations. Pilgrimage season and registration Over 22 lakh people have registered for the Char Dham Yatra 2025, and the chief minister of Uttarakhand is highlighting efforts to make sure the pilgrimage goes smoothly. An important milestone in the current Char Dham Yatra 2025 was reached on May 2, 2025, when the doors of the Kedarnath shrine opened to worshipers. Read more: Not just the Taj! India's 8 hidden UNESCO treasures you must visit Booking information To book helicopter tickets, pilgrims must complete mandatory registration on the Uttarakhand Tourism Portal before making reservations. The official IRCTC Heli Yatra website is the only way to make reservations. Because of the great demand during the busiest pilgrimage season, it is best to purchase tickets well in advance. The introduction of helicopter flights from Sonprayag has made the Kedarnath shrine more accessible and offers a comfortable alternative to the traditional hike. Through stringent safety guidelines and efficient operations, this initiative aims to give pilgrims a smooth and remarkable pilgrimage experience. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Gazette
01-05-2025
- India Gazette
Doors of Kedarnath Dham set to open tomorrow; security heightened
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], May 1 (ANI): As the doors of the Kedarnath Dham are set to open on Friday, the security forces have been deployed for the security and safety of the devotees, the officials said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshay Prahlad Konde said that devotees' safety is their priority. 'This yatra is on such a large scale that our priority is the safety and security of the devotees... Proper security forces have been deployed for both security and management purposes,' the SP said. CEO Badri Kedar Temple Committee - Vilay Thapliyal said, 'Tomorrow is an auspicious day when the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham will be opened. We have made grand preparations this time.' The Lord Kedarnath temple is being adorned with 13 quintals of flowers as the doors of Kedarnath Dham. Baba Kedarnath's idol will arrive at Kedarnath Dham on May 1 and the temple doors will open to devotees on May 2 at 7.00 am. Meanwhile, the helicopter service for the 2025 Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra commenced from Sonprayag in Uttarakhand, offering a convenient travel option for pilgrims. Pawan Rana, a helicopter operator, said, 'Online tickets are available on IRCTC, while offline tickets can be obtained through the District Magistrate or Sector Magistrate. We operate around 20 to 30 shuttles daily, serving over 150 pilgrims.' He added that flight operations are subject to weather conditions. 'If the weather is clear, we can run 25 to 30 flights a day. In case of bad weather, tickets are cancelled, and passenger safety is prioritised. Security arrangements are in place, and every passenger is properly briefed before flying.' Rana also mentioned that around 150 online bookings are made daily, and advance booking is open for a month. The doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham were opened for devotees on Wednesday on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, accompanied by Vedic chanting and worship. With this, the Chardham Yatra 2025 of Uttarakhand has officially commenced. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami pledged during the Kapadodghatan ceremony at both Dhams and performed the first puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wishing for the successful organisation of the Chardham Yatra as well as for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the country and the state. Dhami is the first Chief Minister to attend the Kapadodghatan at Yamunotri Dham. Participating in the opening ceremonies of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami bowed his head at the temples of Mother Ganga and Yamuna and performed special worship. The Chief Minister emphasised that extensive arrangements have been made in the state for a safe and well-organised Char Dham Yatra. He noted that, alongside basic amenities for the devotees during the Char Dham Yatra, special attention is being given to traffic management. According to religious traditions, on Wednesday morning, the festive doli of Maa Ganga reached Gangotri Dham from the Bhairav Temple located in Bhairav Valley. The doors of the Gangotri temple were opened for devotees with special worship and abhishek at Gangotri Dham. Mother Yamuna's palanquin, led by Shanidev Maharaj, arrived at Yamunotri Dham from Kharsali, the winter residence. The doors of Yamunotri Dham were opened for devotees at 11:55 am with religious rituals. On the occasion of the opening of the doors, thousands of devotees from the country and abroad had darshan of Akhand Jyoti and earned virtue by bathing in the Ganga and Yamuna. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 began on April 30. Over 22 lakh devotees have registered at the Rishikesh Transit Camp. (ANI)
