Uttarakhand winter Char Dham yatra draws attention: 3,834 pilgrims in 40 days, PM’s “Mann Ki Baat” gives tourism boost

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Dehradun: The Winter Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand is drawing more visitors, with 3,834 pilgrims arriving in just 40 days since the shrines closed for the season. The pilgrimage, combined with wedding tourism and adventure events, is giving a strong push to the state’s tourism sector.

The winter pilgrimage began after the closure of the Char Dham shrines. The Gangotri shrine closed on October 22, followed by Yamunotri on October 23. The Kedarnath shrine closed on October 23, while Badrinath closed on November 25.

Over 3000 pilgrims visited winter shrines

With the winter yatra starting on October 24, thousands of devotees have already visited the substitute shrines. According to official figures, 2,290 pilgrims visited Omkareshwar, 1,165 visited Mukhba, and 379 visited Kharsali. On December 2 alone, 235 pilgrims performed the winter pilgrimage, showing steady interest despite the cold season.

PM Modi praised Uttarakhand’s natural beauty in his recent “Mann Ki Baat” program

Alongside the yatra, the Uttarakhand government is focusing on wedding destinations, winter tourism, and adventure sports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his recent “Mann Ki Baat” program, praised Uttarakhand’s natural beauty, wedding tourism potential, and high-altitude marathons. Following this, the state government has begun preparing an action plan to strengthen these sectors.

State offers ideal winter destinations for tourists

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has repeatedly appealed to people across the country to visit Uttarakhand, highlighting its pristine climate, mountain villages, and numerous religious sites. He said the state offers ideal winter destinations for tourists, with opportunities for trekking, adventure sports, and spiritual travel.

Dhami also recalled PM Modi’s visits to remote areas last year, including Mana village, which the Prime Minister described as the “first village of India.” Modi also participated in winter travel in Harshil, the home of Mother Ganga, encouraging awareness about winter tourism both in India and abroad.

Combination of pilgrimage, weddings, and adventure events will help Uttarakhand emerge as a leading tourism hub

Officials believe that the combination of pilgrimage, weddings, and adventure events will help Uttarakhand emerge as a leading tourism hub. The government is confident that the growing popularity of the Winter Chardham Yatra, along with new initiatives, will attract more visitors in the coming months.