Apprehensions on next Kedarnath pilgrimage persist

The four peaks of “Chaukhamba” from Guptakashi, about 50 km from Kedarnath, may appear to be enchanting but apprehensions still persist on the next year’s pilgrimage to the shrine, which was devastated by the flash floods that claimed thousands of lives and destroyed property worth hundred of crores in June this year.

With  roads still in very bad conditions and the other infrastructural facilities still lacking, the officials and the locals both keep their fingers crossed when asked about whether the pilgrimage would be as smooth as before.

If the arrival of the pilgrims to Kedarnath post the destruction between September 11 and November 7 this year, when the shrine was thrown open for the pilgrims again, was any indication, there could be a sharp decline in the number of pilgrims, the officials say.

“As against a daily arrival of 15,000 pilgrims before the tragedy, the numbers have decreased to a mere 100,” says Rakesh Tewari, the sub-divisional magistrate of Unkhimath sub-division. Kedarnath falls under Unkhimath.

“People are scared. We think that the arrivals will be very less in the next yatra season. It could be anywhere between 200 and 250 per day,” Tewari, who has been overseeing the distribution of relief in the area, told Deccan Herald.

In fact, the uncertainty over the arrivals in the season has affected the government planning as well. The officials have no idea as to how many pilgrims would be visiting the shrine next year. “The need to regulate pilgrimage will arise only if the numbers increase,” Tewari added.

The locals, who hugely depend on pilgrimage, also remain apprehensive. “If the number of pilgrims decline sharply, then our livelihood will be threatened,” said Binny Lal, who owns a mule and earned his living by transporting the aged and weak to the shrine from Gaurikund, about 14 km from the temple.

Tewari also said there was simply no room for a large number of vehicles on the roads. “The roads have shrunk owing to the floods. From 16 feet, their width, at places, has been reduced to 10 feet'', he said.

He said that the government was trying to assure the people that everything would be in place by the time next yatra begins. “There is nothing to be scared about. We are doing our best,” Tewari said.