Around Rs. 200 Crore Business Done In Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra In Just One Month

Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is setting new records every year. On one hand, the number of devotees coming from all over the country and abroad to visit Baba Kedarnath is setting new records, while the employment of local people is also getting continuous benefits from the increasing pilgrimage. On the other hand, the government is also getting huge revenue from the facilities being provided to the devotees coming on the Yatra by the administration. One month has passed since the opening of Baba’s doors and in this one month, from government facilities to local traders, business worth more than two billion rupees has been done. At the same time, since the beginning of the month of June, the number of devotees has also started increasing continuously, which will benefit the local traders and women self-help groups.

More than seven lakh devotees visited Baba

For the year 2025, the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees on 02 May. One month has passed since the doors of Baba were opened. On Sunday, 01 June, the number of devotees who visited Baba has crossed 07 lakh. If the average of the last one month is calculated, then every day 24 thousand devotees have reached Kedarpuri for the darshan of Baba.

Rs. 40.5 crore income from horse-mule operation only

Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. After crossing a difficult 20 km long walking route, one can have darshan of the 11th Jyotilinga situated in the lap of the Himalayas. Horses and mules play a very important role in this difficult religious journey on foot. Incapable and elderly devotees often travel through them, while food items and other essential items are transported to the Yatra route and Kedarpuri through these horses and mules. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ashish Rawat said that till May 31, 1,39,444 pilgrims have reached for darshan through horses and mules, through which an income of more than 40 crore 50 lakh has been received. He said that this year due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse and mule operations were also affected for a few days.

Heli services did a business of Rs. 35 crore

Heli services play an important role in the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Through helicopter services, devotees who are unable to travel on foot in any condition get a chance to see Baba. At the same time, helicopter services are playing an important role in the rescue operation. Every day two to three people suffering from medical emergencies are rescued to higher centers on time through helicopter services. District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service Rahul Chaubey said that this year eight helicopter companies are operating from nine helipads. Till May 31, about 33000 devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services, which has generated an income of about Rs 35 crore. Chaubey appealed to the devotees to book helicopter bookings only from the official website of IRCTC.

Income of more than Rs. one crore from Dandi-Kandi

On the Shri Kedarnath Dham foot pilgrimage route, the operation of horses and mules is as important as the operation of dandi-kandi. Many devotees who are unable to walk prefer to travel by dandi-kandi instead of dandi-kandi. It is also considered safer for small children. Apart from this, many devotees travel on foot themselves and reach Kedarpuri with the help of only similar dandi-kandi. Additional Chief Officer District Panchayat Rudraprayag Sanjay Kumar said that more than 7000 dandi-kandi operators are registered for this year’s pilgrimage. Till May 31, 29275 devotees have traveled through dandi-kandi, from which an income of one crore 16 lakh, 89 thousand 100 rupees has been received. At the same time, fines of Rs 2,26,000 have also been collected by challaning various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules.

Around Rs 7 crore earned from taxi operation

Assistant Transport Officer Rudraprayag Kulwant Singh Chauhan said that this year 225 vehicles are registered for shuttle service in Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Devotees reach Gaurikund from Sonprayag in these vehicles.

So far, more than 7 lakh devotees have reached Shri Kedarnath Dham. Every pilgrim has to pay Rs. 50 for going and Rs. 50 for returning to Sonprayag. Till June 1, 7 lakh devotees have reached the Dham, which means, till now the taxi operators have earned around Rs. 7 crore through the shuttle service. This year, taking a new initiative, 25 vehicles have been reserved for women and elderly people. An average of 10 passengers can travel in each vehicle. Proper stickers have also been put on these vehicles. In the first phase, only 25 vehicles have been taken for this. If the experiment is successful and the need for more vehicles is felt, then the number of vehicles can be increased.

Hotel establishments record a turnover of more than Rs. 100 crores

GMVN and local traders make arrangements for the stay of devotees on the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra Marg and in Kedarpuri. From the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra Marg to Kedarpuri, there are hundreds of hotels, tents and restaurants of local people where devotees stay for lodging and food. Trade Association President Gaurikund Ramchandra Goswami said that the scale of Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra is increasing every year. This year too the Yatra is going on in a historic manner, in Gaurikund alone there are about 350 establishments where arrangements for food and lodging of devotees are made.

The average cost of food and lodging of a pilgrim visiting Kedarnath Dham is minimum 1500 to 2000 rupees. Some people arrange their own food. If the average is calculated based on the 7 lakh pilgrims who visited the yatra in a month, then the hotels and restaurant establishments have done a business of 100 crore rupees. On the other hand, GMVN Regional Manager Girveer Rawat told that 15 establishments of GMVN are on the Kedarnath Yatra route which also includes Dhyan Gufa. All these together have earned a revenue of 3 crore 80 lakh 1582 rupees in a month.

Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra has become the center of faith and culture of Uttarakhand. The government’s goal is not only to provide facilities to the pilgrims but also to economically empower the local youth, women and businessmen. We are trying to take every possible step to make the Yatra safe, smooth and prosperous, said Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.