The sacred Kedarnath Yatra of 2025 has achieved a historic milestone, with more than 16.52 lakh devotees visiting the revered Himalayan shrine since its opening in May. The temple doors are set to close on October 23, coinciding with Bhai Dooj, marking the end of this year’s pilgrimage season. According to official data from the Uttarakhand Emergency Operations Centre, a total of 16,52,076 pilgrims have offered prayers at Kedarnath so far. On Wednesday alone, 5,614 devotees visited the Dham despite snowfall and dropping temperatures, underscoring the unwavering faith of the pilgrims.
Between May 4 and October 7, a record 47,29,555 pilgrims have successfully completed the Char Dham Yatra, covering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The spiritual journey, which began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines, saw Kedarnath open on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. Official data shows that 14,48,785 devotees visited Badrinath, 16,50,925 reached Kedarnath, 7,23,853 offered prayers at Gangotri, and 6,25,397 visited Yamunotri, while 2,70,869 devotees paid obeisance at Shri Hemkund Sahib. The Badrinath Dham is scheduled to close for the winter on November 25 at 2:56 PM, after which the region will enter its snow-bound months.
Despite the record turnout, this year’s yatra faced severe disruptions due to heavy monsoon rains and landslides that struck several parts of Uttarakhand in September. Continuous downpours forced authorities to suspend registrations and halt the pilgrimage between September 1 and 5. The Gangotri route, particularly the Dharali region, suffered significant damage due to landslides that washed away roads and blocked key stretches.
However, after rapid restoration efforts, the yatra resumed on September 6. Administrative teams, including the Public Works Department, Border Roads Organisation, and disaster response units, worked tirelessly to restore connectivity and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
As winter approaches, the upper Himalayan shrines have begun witnessing fresh snowfall. Kedarnath Dham, in particular, has experienced continuous snowfall for the past two days, prompting authorities to issue fresh advisories for pilgrims. The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, along with the Rudraprayag District Administration and local police, has urged devotees to carry warm clothing, medicines, and essential supplies, avoid travelling during inclement weather, and seek shelter in designated safe zones during snowfall or heavy rain.
Despite natural challenges, the spiritual enthusiasm among devotees remains undiminished. Pilgrims from across India continue to brave the cold, trekking through snow-dusted trails to offer prayers at Lord Shiva’s abode. Officials noted that improved facilities, better road connectivity, and enhanced disaster response mechanisms have encouraged more people to undertake the pilgrimage this year.
With two weeks still remaining before the Kedarnath temple gates close, officials anticipate that the total number of visitors may surpass last year’s record by a significant margin, marking 2025 as one of the most successful Char Dham Yatra seasons in recent years.
