File image of devotees thronging the Badrinath Temple during the Char Dham Yatra.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: The Char Dham Yatra, one of India’s most revered pilgrimages of India, is expected to be visited by 50 to 60 lakh people in 2025 which is expected to generate around Rs 7,500 crore as revenue, according to projections by experts.
According to Giresh Kulkarni, founder, Temple Connect and Vikash Mishra, founder, Trip to Temples, there is a lot of excitement among the people.
The devotees will complete their spiritual yatra, starting from Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri and Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath.
The Uttarakhand government has made extensive arrangements for the devotees. “Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi or the Land of Gods, is home to numerous temples and welcomes devotees all year round. Among the countless religious sites and circuits that devotees visit in Uttarakhand, one of the most prominent is the Char Dham Yatra. This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath - nestled in the Himalayas,” said Kulkarni, who is also the founder, International Temples Convention & Expo.
“Char Dham Yatra manages to generate an revenue of Rs 7,500 crore annually while generating employment for approximately 10, 000 people considering hoteliers, porters, homestays, tour operators,” said Kulkarni.
In 2024, around 43 lakh people had visited the Char Dham Yatra and this time, more people are expected.
“In 2025, a dedicated control room will be established to manage various aspects of the Yatra. This facility will coordinate with relevant departments to handle registrations, traffic flow, parking, security arrangements, visitor movements, data management, actions against fake registrations, and disaster response,” said Mishra.