Amid rain and landslides in Uttarakhand, the pace of the Char Dham Yatra in August set a new record. It was the first time in four years that the highest number of pilgrims visited the four shrines in August. This year, a total of 2,31,518 pilgrims visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Badrinath recorded the highest footfall, with more than 1.25 lakh pilgrims offering prayers. Kedarnath also saw the highest number of devotees in August in three years. After the COVID-19 period, more than 2.67 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines in August 2022.
The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra began on 19 April this year. While the pace of the pilgrimage slowed in July, August saw a record number of pilgrims despite heavy rain, highway closures and landslides at several places. Compared with August last year, 93,680 more pilgrims visited the Char Dham this year, while the figure was 1,18,502 higher than in 2024.
Hemkund Sahib also records highest-ever pilgrim footfall in August
A record 67,863 pilgrims visited Hemkund Sahib, the holy Sikh shrine in Uttarakhand, in August 2026. Since the pilgrimage began on June 1, a total of 2.89 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine so far. Last year, 2.74 lakh pilgrims visited during the entire season. The previous record has been surpassed 40 days ahead of schedule.
Second phase of helicopter services for Char Dham Yatra to begin on 15 September
The second phase of helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will begin on September 15. According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority, weather conditions are expected to become safe for helicopter operations after the monsoon weakens. The decision was taken on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Coordination is being carried out with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and DGCA to ensure the safety of helicopter services. ATC facilities have been arranged at Sahastradhara Heliport and Sitapur. An ATC facility is also planned at Badrinath soon, while ATC will be established at Kedarnath before the 2027 pilgrimage season.
