Dehradun, Aug 12: Faith and devotion have drawn more than 47 lakh pilgrims to Uttarakhand’s Chardham shrines in just 114 days, putting this year’s pilgrimage season on track for a strong finish despite the challenges posed by the monsoon.

According to official figures, 47,02,703 devotees have visited the four shrines so far — 4,68,556 more than during the corresponding period last year.

For thousands of pilgrims, the journey through the Himalayan terrain is a deeply personal spiritual experience. Despite difficult weather and challenging travel conditions, devotees continue to make their way to the sacred shrines.

Badrinath has received the highest number of visitors at 16,12,112, followed by Kedarnath with 14,50,116, Gangotri with 7,37,629 and Yamunotri with 6,62,347. Another 2,40,499 devotees have visited Hemkund Sahib.

With monsoon conditions continuing, the state government is keeping a close watch on weather and road conditions. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to place pilgrim safety at the centre of arrangements and maintain round-the-clock disaster preparedness.

Authorities are also regulating the movement of devotees and temporarily suspending the yatra when weather conditions become unsafe. On Monday, despite inclement weather, 15,376 pilgrims visited the shrines.

The strong pilgrimage season is also providing a boost to communities along the routes. Hotels, homestays, transport operators, restaurants, guides, shopkeepers and other local businesses depend heavily on the steady flow of visitors.

The Chardham Yatra began on April 19 with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri, followed by the opening of Badrinath on April 23.

As more devotees continue to arrive, Uttarakhand faces the delicate task of welcoming the growing pilgrimage while ensuring that people travelling to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath can undertake their journey safely.

For the state, the growing numbers represent more than a tourism milestone. They reflect the enduring faith of millions of people who continue to undertake the challenging Himalayan journey in search of spiritual connection and blessings.