The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee announced a priority darshan system for pilgrims above 70 and differently-abled devotees at both shrines. Under a new SOP, each temple will run four 15-minute windows daily, with capacity capped at 50 pilgrims per slot, enabling 200 vulnerable devotees to attend each day. Entry during these times is restricted to eligible pilgrims who present identity cards, with Aadhaar and supporting documents verified on-site to confirm age and disability status.
Char Dham Yatra registrations have crossed 33 lakh, according to the daily bulletin. Kedarnath leads with 11,68,522 registrations, followed by Badrinath at 10,19,560. Gangotri logged 5,90,295 and Yamunotri 5,69,480. Hemkund Sahib recorded 48,428 devotees signing up, highlighting a sharp gap among the routes.
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Kedarnath temple’s income rose sharply to Rs 71.06 crore in 2024-25, up 34.32% from the prior year, according to an RTI response. The figure covers earnings from special pujas, donations, and helicopter services, while major expenses go to staff salaries and maintenance. The temple committee also manages multiple shrines and facilities.
Despite days of heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures, pilgrims continued arriving at Kedarnath Dham, with queue lines stretching longer as devotees waited to offer prayers. Local administration said it is making necessary arrangements to support safety and convenience for those visiting. Visuals from the spot show crowds persisting through harsh weather as winter conditions intensify.
A Bomb Disposal Squad carried out a thorough inspection of Kedarnath Dham temple premises during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, as officials reported 4,08,401 pilgrims arriving in just 10 days. Rudraprayag Police said the shrine area is under heightened vigilance, supported by SDRF, NDRF, a token system, ‘Green Yatra’ steps, and strict crowd and security protocols.
Rudraprayag district administration has ramped up Kedarnath Yatra surveillance with over 90 cameras and dedicated 24/7 command rooms to monitor pilgrim movement and enforce guidelines. Officials say the focus includes safety response readiness and strict hygiene checks at community kitchens as visitor numbers surge with a record devotional turnout.
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Kedarnath Temple reopened for devotees on Wednesday, officially kicking off the Kedarnath leg of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 with traditional rituals under tight security. The Yatra began earlier with Gangotri and Yamunotri in mid-April, and Badrinath is scheduled to open next. Organisers have introduced mandatory registration requirements for pilgrims.
A viral video from Kedarnath Temple shows devotees breaking barricades and pushing to reach darshan as the Char Dham Yatra began with doors opening on April 22. Authorities are also facing renewed scrutiny after a separate stampede incident at Sheetla Mata Temple, raising urgent questions about crowd management, safety measures, and how large pilgrim rushes are handled at sites of mass worship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed devotees as Kedarnath Temple opened for pilgrims, calling the moment auspicious. In a message shared on X, he framed the Chardham yatra as a celebration of faith and unity, thanked those involved in preparations, and urged pilgrims to have a blessed journey while enjoying the spiritual significance of the trek to Kedarnath.
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