12 % decline in pilgrim numbers so far this year in Char Dham Yatra: SDC Foundation
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The world famous Char Dham Yatra considered to be the backbone of the economy of the State has witnessed a noticeable decline in the number of Yatris this year in the first month as compared to the same period in 2024.
A report by the Dehradun-based environmental action and advocacy group, SDC Foundation shows that a total of 17,17,619 devotees visited the Char Dham shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri in the first month this year. In comparison, the Yatra had recorded 19,56,269 pilgrims during the corresponding one-month period last year, marking a decrease of 2,38,650 pilgrims which is an overall drop of 12 per cent.
The data shows that 6,49,161 pilgrims visited Kedarnath in 2025 as against 7,48,348 in 2024, registering a 13 per cent fall. Badrinath’s numbers dropped slightly from 4,72,065 in 2024 to 4,57,409 in 2025, reflecting a three per cent decrease.
Yamunotri saw a decline of 11 per cent, falling from 3,46,545 last year to 3,02,713 this year. Gangotri recorded the steepest decline of 14 per cent with 2,93,228 pilgrims in 2025 compared to 3,39,892 in 2024.
The founder of SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal said, ” The decline in numbers cannot be attributed to any single cause. Rather, it reflects a combination of factors including the earlier Indo-Pak tensions, inconsistent weather conditions during the early days of the Yatra and concerns with complexities around the registration process.”
Nautiyal emphasised that while the state continues to promote Char Dham Yatra as a flagship religious event, it is equally important to focus on sustainable pilgrimage practices. He said that the State should begin planning for the next year’s Yatra as soon as the portals close in October or November.
