Shivani Jaiswal, Uttarakhand-
The ongoing pilgrimage of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed an overwhelming rise in devotion, with the number of pilgrims crossing the 20 lakh (2 million) mark. Authorities have described this year’s turnout as one of the highest in recent times, reflecting strong spiritual enthusiasm among devotees from across the country.

Char Dham Yatra — which includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — has seen continuous footfall despite challenging terrain and weather conditions in the Himalayan region.

However, officials have also reported a concerning toll, with 86 pilgrims losing their lives during the journey so far. While the exact causes vary, factors such as altitude sickness, pre-existing health conditions, fatigue, and weather-related complications are believed to have contributed.

Local administration and rescue teams have been deployed across key routes to manage crowd flow, provide medical assistance, and ensure safety measures for pilgrims. Health check-up camps and emergency response units have also been strengthened along the pilgrimage circuit.

Authorities continue to urge devotees to follow safety guidelines, stay hydrated, and undergo medical screening before undertaking the high-altitude journey.

Despite the challenges, the pilgrimage continues with strong spiritual fervor, as thousands of devotees proceed towards the sacred Himalayan shrines.