Char Dham Yatra Draws Over 31 Lakh Pilgrims, 161 Deaths Reported This Season

The ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed an extraordinary turnout this season, with more than 31 lakh pilgrims visiting the Himalayan shrines since the pilgrimage began in April. Alongside the massive inflow of devotees, official data has also confirmed 161 deaths among pilgrims so far this year.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, the highest number of visitors was recorded at Kedarnath Dham , which has welcomed 11,05,676 pilgrims since its doors opened on April 22. It was followed by Badrinath Dham , which has received 9,08,619 visitors since April 23.

Other major shrines have also seen steady footfall. Gangotri recorded 5,28,406 pilgrims , while Yamunotri registered 5,07,421 devotees . The revered Sri Hemkund Sahib saw 55,411 visitors during the ongoing season. Trekking activity to Gaumukh was also included in the Gangotri region’s total, accounting for 4,697 trekkers.

On Saturday alone, officials reported the arrival of 61,262 pilgrims across the shrines, along with 5,511 vehicles operating on the yatra routes. Since the beginning of the season, a total of 2,89,918 vehicles have been recorded on the pilgrimage corridors, highlighting the scale of movement in the region.

However, the season has also seen a concerning number of fatalities. Out of the 161 reported deaths , 152 were attributed to medical conditions and health-related issues , while eight deaths occurred due to other causes , and one was recorded as a natural death , according to official figures.

Among the shrines, Yamunotri reported the highest number of casualties with 78 deaths , followed by Kedarnath Dham with 47 , Badrinath Dham with 20 , and Gangotri with 16 .

Officials continue to monitor pilgrim movement and health conditions closely as the Yatra progresses, given the challenging terrain and high altitude conditions that often strain devotees, especially the elderly and those with pre existing health concerns.