Now Kedarnath Dham has remained open for 22 hours for the day, and more than 6 lakh devotees have got darshan
Summary
For the past week, a large number of devotees have been granted the opportunity to have a darshan of the sanctum sanctorum from 11 pm to 7 am. Both online and offline worship services are also being conducted. A staggering count of over 20,000 devotees are availing themselves of this divine experience on a daily basis.
Expansion
The Kedarnath temple has extended its opening hours to an impressive 22 out of 24 hours, allowing devotees to have darshan of the sanctum sanctorum from 11 pm to 7 am. Both online and offline worship services are being conducted to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Surpassing the numbers from the previous year, over 20,000 devotees have been blessed with the opportunity to have darshan daily for the past week. The Kedarnath Yatra, which commenced on April 25, has witnessed a remarkable surge in devotees, with over 630,000 visitors so far. Even amidst drizzling rain, Tuesday saw the arrival of 23,083 devotees.
The increasing crowd of pilgrims in Kedarnath
To manage the growing number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham, the government has implemented a temporary ban on new registrations until June 03. Both offline and online registration facilities have been closed during this period. Additionally, to address the issue of congestion on the Yatra routes, pilgrims will now be sent in a staggered manner to ensure a smoother flow of movement. These measures aim to enhance the pilgrimage experience and maintain the safety and convenience of all devotees.
The four Dhams are witnessing an overwhelming surge in the number of pilgrims this year, surpassing the capacity of Kedarnath Dham in particular. As a result, travelers are facing significant difficulties due to traffic congestion at various points along the travel route. To address this situation, the government has imposed a ban on new registrations for Kedarnath Dham until June 03. Meanwhile, those who have already registered will be halted at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tapovan, Vyasi, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag before being directed further. These measures are implemented to ensure the safety and convenience of all passengers during their pilgrimage.
According to IG Garhwal Karan Singh Nagnyal, there has been a notable 50 percent increase in the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham. To address the issue of traffic congestion at various locations, a containment plan has been put into action. As part of this plan, passengers will be halted at different designated points and then redirected accordingly. Specifically, travelers en route to Kedarnath and Badrinath will undergo screening procedures at Rudraprayag before being allowed to proceed on their journey. These measures aim to manage the influx of pilgrims and ensure a smoother and safer pilgrimage experience.
