Char Dham Yatra records 3.7% lower footfall in 1st month compared to 2025: SDC Foundation

Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 19 May: The first month of the ongoing Char Dham Yatra 2026 has recorded a 3.7% decline in pilgrim arrivals compared to the corresponding period last year, according to a comparative analysis released by the Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation.
The analysis shows that 16,43,182 pilgrims visited Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri between April 19 and May 18, 2026. In comparison, 17,07,011 pilgrims had visited the char dhams during the first month of the 2025 Yatra period, reflecting a reduction of 63,829 pilgrims this year.
Among the four shrines, Kedarnath witnessed a rise in pilgrim arrivals. Kedarnath recorded 6,65,140 pilgrims in the first month of 2026 compared to 6,49,161 during the same period last year. The shrine accounted for 40.5% of the total Char Dham footfall this year, compared to 38% in 2025.
However, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri recorded slightly lower pilgrim numbers compared to last year. Badrinath received 4,28,973 pilgrims this year against 4,57,409 in 2025, while Gangotri and Yamunotri also saw moderate declines.
The report further notes that approximately 55,000 pilgrims are currently visiting the Char Dham shrines daily. If this trend continues over the next five to six weeks and there are no major disruptions due to the energy crisis, extreme monsoon events or disasters, total pilgrim footfall could reach between 35 to 40 lakh by the end of June 2026. In 2025; 37,21,169 pilgrims had visited Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri & Hemkund Sahib by 30 June, 2025.
As per the morning report of the State Emergency Operation Centre dated May 18, 2026, 55 pilgrim deaths have been recorded during the ongoing Yatra, including 30 in Kedarnath, 10 in Badrinath, 8 in Yamunotri and 7 in Gangotri. The report also notes that 1,47,453 vehicles have arrived across the Char Dham shrines during the first month of the Yatra.
Commenting on the findings, Anoop Nautiyal of SDC Foundation said, “The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most significant spiritual journeys in the country. While pilgrim numbers remain important from the perspective of the local economy and administration, there is a greater need to focus on adopting carrying capacity principles in an ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.”
He added, “The increasing concentration of pilgrims towards Kedarnath and the large daily influx underline the importance of long-term planning, crowd management, transport systems and safety preparedness during the Yatra season.”
Anoop Nautiyal stated that data-based analysis and regular monitoring are important for improving pilgrimage management and strengthening preparedness. The Foundation has repeatedly tracked the Char Dham Yatra, climate events, disasters, waste management practices and mobility patterns in Uttarakhand over the years. It has consistently advocated for sustainable management of the Char Dham Yatra and has continued to raise critical questions regarding excessive emphasis on tourism and pilgrimage record-breaking practices in the state.