Excitement is mounting among devotees as the highly anticipated Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage in the Hindu tradition, is set to begin in just a few days. Starting May 12, the gates of Badrinath Dham will open, marking the beginning of this spiritual journey. Authorities have ramped up preparations to ensure a smooth experience for the thousands expected to participate.
This year, the preparations have included significant infrastructure improvements. A new route has been established following the damage to the old Asta Path, providing safer and more accessible paths for pilgrims. Additionally, helicopter services, previously limited to Kedarnath and Hemkund, will now extend to Badrinath, allowing devotees an alternative way to reach the sacred site.
With the pilgrimage's popularity, over 1.9 million registrations have already been recorded for this year, a stark increase from the previous year's 550,000. To manage the influx, the Uttarakhand police and tourism department have decided to cap daily visitors, ensuring a more organized and manageable pilgrimage for everyone.
The Char Dham Yatra not only offers a spiritual retreat but also significantly contributes to the local economy, with many small businesses and vendors relying on the pilgrimage season for their annual income. As the final preparations are underway, the entire region buzzes with a blend of devotion and anticipation.
