Exactly one month is completed since the portals of Kedarnath opened. Over fifty thousand travellers arrived in thirty days, the entire increase in the number of passengers has left Kedar valley in thrills. Last year only 16 thousand devotees visited Kedarnath shrine. The increase in the number of pilgrims is also bringing the business back on track.
This time, the inflow of tourists is much more than expected by the government and administration. The passengers are happy with it, but has multiplied the responsibilities on administration. This is because with the growing number of passengers, the arrangements of passengers boarding and lodging will also have to be made.
Before the disaster, the number of pilgrims for yatra in the starting months used to reach upto lakhs. The number used to cross two to two-and-half lakhs in a month, which also garnered hefty income to the temple committee. In 2013, 3,10,615 devotees had visited Kedarnath shrine before the deluge, just a month later of which occurred the disaster on 16 June. In 2014 only 16,610 pilgrims visited the state in one month for Kedar darshan. Last year, the number of passengers per day could not exceed a minimum of 50 and above 500. The situation got worse after the rainy season. Compared to last year, this year income of Badri-Kedar temple committee have been growing too fast. After the disaster, temple committee had to suffer considerable damage. The number of passengers is increasing constantly. In the last three days, on May 21 – 2909, on May 22 – 3374 and May 23 – 3261 passengers did darshan of baba. Since the opening of portals 50,318 pilgrims did darshan of Baba Kedar so far. The administration did not expect the number of passengers to grow in such high number. While with the increasing number of travellers, the temple committee has been receiving good income. On the other hand local business is also gradually coming back on track.
This year over 50 thousand pilgrims have had darshan of Baba Kedar. For the priests involved in conducting grand puja, the temple committee has prepared a special package. With the surge in number of travellers, temple committee also getting a good revenue.
News Source : Dainik Jagran, Rudraprayag
Published Date: May 26, 2015
