Dainik Nation News Portal
The Rudraprayag district administration is warmly welcoming pilgrims to the Shri Kedarnath Dham with the traditional “Atithi Devo Bhava” hospitality. Since the opening of the shrine on May 10, a record 319,193 devotees have visited, marking an unprecedented influx within the first 11 days.
On May 20 alone, the pilgrimage saw 37,480 visitors, setting a new daily record. To ensure the journey is smooth, well-organized, and safe, the state government, led by Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, alongside the Rudraprayag district administration, has been diligently working to provide comprehensive facilities and amenities to the pilgrims.
Due to the overwhelming number of devotees at stops such as Phata, Sonprayag, and Gaurikund, the district administration has taken measures to manage the crowd. Pilgrims are being temporarily halted at Agastyamuni and other locations to maintain safety and organization. Under the direction of District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, the Nagar Panchayat of Agastyamuni welcomed 263 pilgrims from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, offering them accommodation and food in line with the “Atithi Devo Bhava” tradition.
The pilgrims from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and arrangements. They acknowledged the administration’s efforts to ensure their comfort and well-being during their temporary halt at Agastyamuni.
The large influx of pilgrims was partly due to an online registration system that saw numbers four times greater than the shrine’s capacity. In response, the state and district administrations made phased arrangements for 4,000 pilgrims from Rishikesh and 2,000 from Haridwar. Despite these measures, the initial rush to get a first glimpse of Shri Kedarnath led to significant crowding, including many unregistered visitors.
To address this, the administration swiftly implemented a system to check registrations and allowed only those who had registered. They also managed the crowds by holding people at various points to prevent excessive congestion at the four dhams. These efforts have successfully brought the situation under control, ensuring the Yatra proceeds smoothly and efficiently.
The Rudraprayag district administration’s proactive measures and traditional hospitality have been instrumental in managing the record number of pilgrims and ensuring a safe and organized pilgrimage experience for all devotees visiting Shri Kedarnath Dham.
