Over 30-lakh pilgrims visit Badrinath-Kedarnath in 2024 yatra: Report

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], November 18 (ANI): The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, with the support of the District Police Administration, reported a record-breaking influx of pilgrims during the 2024 Yatra season.
According to an official statement, a total of 30,87,417 pilgrims visited Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams this year.
At Badrinath Dham, 11,170 pilgrims visited on the final day, November 17, bringing the season's total to 14,35,341 visitors since the gates opened on May 12.
At Kedarnath Dham, 16,52,076 pilgrims arrived between May 10 and November 3, including 1,26,393 who travelled by helicopter.
The committee also reported that 1,83,722 pilgrims visited Shri Hemkunt Sahib and Lokpal Tirtha Shri Laxman Mandir before their gates closed on October 10.
The official statement added that these figures reflect the successful management of the Yatra by temple authorities and local administration.
"These figures of the number of pilgrims for the year 2024 for Shri Badrinath - Kedarnath have been released by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee with the cooperation of the District Police Administration and Temple Committee", the statement read.
Earlier on Sunday, devotees thronged Shri Badrinath Dham as the temple prepared to close its gates for the winter season at 9:07 PM. Ahead of the closure, Lord Badri Vishal was adorned with flowers, and all ornaments and clothes were removed as part of the rituals.
After 8:00 PM, Mata Laxmi will be seated in the sanctum sanctorum, and the idols of Uddhav and Kuber Ji will be moved to Bamni. Shri Badrinath Dham temple, decorated with 15 quintals of marigold flowers, remained open for devotees throughout the day.
Earlier, the doors of Kedarnath Dham were closed on the occasion of Bhai Dooj with Vedic rituals, chants of "Om Namah Shivay" and "Jai Baba Kedar," and devotional music by the Indian Army band.
The doors of Gangotri Dham were closed on November 2, while the holy Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib and Lokpal Laxman Temple closed on October 10. The doors of Madmaheshwar Ji are scheduled to close on November 20. (ANI)