Mahakumbh and Indo-Pak tensions lead to lull in Char Dham Yatra footfall
PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun
The recently concluded Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and heightened Indo-Pak tensions are likely key reasons behind the noticeable decline in pilgrim turnout for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. In the first three weeks of the Yatra, pilgrim numbers have dropped by 21 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year, continuing a downward trend since the very first week.
According to Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, a total of 10,91,406 pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath between April 30 and May 20 this year. This is significantly lower than the 13,84,688 pilgrims recorded during the same three-week period in 2024, marking a decline of 2,93,282 visitors. Founder of SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal said that while tensions between India and Pakistan heavily affected the second week of the Yatra, a recovery in numbers was expected after May 15 based on last year’s trend but the expected rise did not materialise. According to SDC’s data for May 14 to 20, 2025 pilgrim numbers dropped by 27 per cent at Yamunotri, 26 per cent at Kedarnath and 20 per cent at Gangotri compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Badrinath was the only exception, recording a 17 per cent increase in pilgrim arrivals during the same seven-day period. This has been largely credited to the Pushkar Kumbh Mela, being held after 12 years.
The general secretary of the Char Dham Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat, Brijesh Sati attributed the lower footfall to a combination of factors including Mahakumbh. He said that the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj that concluded on February 26 after 45 days is a rare event that occurred after a gap of 144 years after the completion of 12 cycles of the 12-year Kumbh Mela. Over 60 crore people attended the Mahakumbh in 2025. Since many pilgrims are from the middle class, many will not have the resources for another major pilgrimage like the Char Dham Yatra in the same year, Sati said. He also stated that several pilgrims cancelled their online registrations after the Pahalgam attack and worsening Indo-Pak relations. “Although this year the administration introduced 25 per cent offline registration unlike last year, many were unaware of this option and did not travel even after the situation improved,” he said.
Sati said that the mid-May to mid-June phase is typically the peak of the Char Dham Yatra before the monsoon sets in after June 15. Thousands of local people earn their livelihood during this short window and a sustained low turnout could affect their earnings. However, Sati remains hopeful that the number of pilgrims will potentially rise in the coming days.
A senior police official involved in Char Dham Yatra preparations also said that this year’s lower turnout has made traffic and crowd management significantly easier for police, with no major congestion or parking issues reported so far. He also acknowledged improved planning and execution by the administration. However, he added that if pilgrim numbers remain low throughout this season, the Char Dham Yatra may see a significant surge in 2026 as those who skipped this year’s visit may plan their pilgrimage next year.
Many stakeholders also opined that while the reduced crowds have eased logistical challenges, including traffic and parking in the narrow hill routes, the long-term economic impact on locals who rely heavily on the Yatra season remains a concern. Many small businesses, hoteliers, porters, mules’ operators and shopkeepers in the Char Dham circuit earn a substantial part of their annual income during these few months. Despite the current lull, many stakeholders remain optimistic and believe that if weather conditions remain favourable and no further geopolitical disturbances occur, footfall could gradually increase in the coming weeks.
Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that Char Dham pilgrim numbers have started rising again after a brief lull. More than 31 lakh people have registered for the pilgrimage since its start on April 30 which translates to an average of 1.31 lakh registrations per day, according to officials.
