The Kedarnath and Yamunotri Yatra brought in a record profit of over 211 cr for Uttarakhand this year
Bansidhar Tiwari, MD of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), stated on Friday that the Himalayan state made a huge deal of money from the businesses in Kedarnath and Yamunotri Yatra this year, amounting to approximately 211 crores. Every year, thousands of devotees travel to Yamunotri Dham, which is the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, which travels from Yamunotri to Gangotri and then on to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
With its snow-capped peaks, alpine forests, and vibrant rhododendrons, Kedarnath, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in northern India, provides a tranquil atmosphere. It is situated in the state of Uttarakhand among the picturesque locales of the Gharwal region. The Kedarnath pilgrimage offers the pleasure of a religious center and the sizzles of an idyllic tourist destination. It is famous for the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. A peaceful location that is strongly related to the powerful Pandavas retains a lovely legend of its own. Speaking to ANI about the record-breaking profits from the sale of horses, mules, and helicopter services during the Kedarnath Yatra, GMVN MD Tiwari stated, “In Uttarakhand, this time around 211 crores business has been done in Kedarnath and Yamunotri Yatra only by horse-mules, helicopter tickets, and travel fare of Dandi-Kandi.” For the first time, horse-mule owners in the Kedarnath Dham did. As a result, the government also received more than Rs eight crore in income due to the sale and services. 8,664 mules and 4,302 horse owners were listed with the Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag district administration. 5.34 lakh pilgrims rode horses to Kedarnath Dham during this period. According to Bansidhar Tiwari, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has reaped the benefits of purchasing helicopter tickets. Horse mules have generated over Rs 100 crores in revenue while helicopter businesses in Kedarnath have gained Rs 85 crores. This time, the government during the yatra registered almost 15,000 owners of horses and mules. As many as 5.34 lakh pilgrims rode horses and mules to Kedarnath Dham. According to the committee, businesses in Kedarnath registered for Yamunotri Dham generated Rs 21 crore in revenue. According to him, Yamunotri and the Char Dham Yatra brought in about Rs 21 crore 75 lakhs in revenue for Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. On Thursday morning, the Kedarnath Dham’s entrances were shut for the winter. The eleventh Jyotirlinga Lord Kedarnath’s doors were ceremonially closed for the winter while Vedic hymns were chanted, local musical instruments performed, the army band played, and cheers from a large number of worshippers. Tradition holds that after the gates are closed, Lord Kedarnath undergoes a six-month hibernation in the Himalayas for the sake of humanity. The Panchmukhi moveable Vigraha Utsav Doli (palanquin) of Lord Kedarnath was painted after the sanctum sanctorum’s doors were closed. Following that, amid applause from the gathered worshippers, the palanquin of Lord Kedarnath was taken to the temple grounds from the mandap. According to Ajayendra Ajay, president of the Badri Kedar Temple Committee, “PM Modi asked people to spend at least 5% of their yatra money on buying local products and services during his visit to Uttarakhand.” The upcoming yatra might be historic, and the PM’s desire might come true, according to businessmen’s earnings this time, said Ajay. The expected annual revenue of the company, according to the managing director of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Banshidhar Tiwari, is Rs. 50 crore. According to Tiwari, the yatra’s taxi vendors have also generated three times the usual income in businesses in Kedarnath. Along the yatra route, every hotel, guesthouse, lodge, and Dharamshala had six-month reservations. The GMVN has made Rs 40 crore so far this year, compared to prior years when it had economic losses, according to Tiwari. The Information Department of Uttarakhand reported on Friday that women who are members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) made Rs 43.50 lakh by selling “Prasad” during the Kedarnath Dham Yatra this year. In Shri Kedarnath Dham, women who prepared “Prasad” and sold it to pilgrims made a combined profit of nearly 43 lakhs. Using women’s organizations established through NRLM in Agastyamuni of Shri Kedarnath Yatra Marg, the district administration launched Saras restaurant and marketing center during this yatra. Poonam Devi, the president of the Mahadev Self Help Group, which owns and operates Sara’s restaurant, expressed her satisfaction and revealed that on her first visit, she made a profit of nearly Rs 4 lakh. Through Sara’s restaurant, 8 people have found stable employment or sources of income. The committee will develop methods for improved preparedness going forward for the next visit, she said.
After making three laps around the main temple, the palanquin was carried in a procession to the Okareshwar Temple’s winter residence in Ukhimath. The Chardham Yatra started this year on Akshaya Tritiya, May 3, and Kedarnath Temple’s doors opened on May 6.
