Haridwar logs surge in pilgrim footfall after HC lifts curbs on yatra

HARIDWAR: With the Uttarakhand high court allowing Char Dham pilgrimage with adherence to Covid guidelines, pilgrim influx in Haridwar has witnessed a major spike. More than 5,000 pilgrims and tourists are arriving at Har-Ki-Pauri daily and many of them are heading towards Char Dham situated in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts, officials and travel association office-bearers said.

Haridwar in Garhwal division is the entry point for pilgrimage to Char Dham shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as well as Hem Kund Sahib. From ancient times, taking Ganga dip prior to going on Char Dham pilgrimage is considered auspicious.

Booking and occupancy in hotels, guest houses, lodges, dharamshalas and ashrams increased in two days of opening up of Char Dham shrines for devotees. Ganga ghats at Har-KiPauri are witnessing a rush as less than 45 days are left for the closure of the Char Dham portals.

Haridwar Travel Association general secretary Sumit Shrikunj said enquiries and bookings by pilgrims and tourists from neighbouring states have increased. “We have already sent people on Char Dham pilgrimage with adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. There is much relief that finally the high court and the state government have allowed the annual Char Dham pilgrimage, which is linked to the livelihood of thousands of people here,” said Shrikunj.

Hotelier Neeraj Kumar said the Char Dham pilgrimage got affected in the previous year due to Covid-19, which resulted in a major loss to the hotel industry in the state.

Hoteliers have started calling additional staff to cater to the rise in the number of bookings. Hotel rooms costing from ₹500 to ₹5,000 are available in Haridwar. The Tour Traveller Association is charging ₹3.90 lakh for 10 days for a 27-seater tempo travel and ₹75,000 for five-seat car for nine days of Char Dham pilgrimage.

Mansarovar Vyapar Mandal president Rakesh Khanna thanked chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for presenting effectively in the high court legal, religious, spiritual and economic aspects of the opening of the Char Dham pilgrimage.

“Allowing Char Dham pilgrimage is a welcome step. Traders are a happy lot as for the past 20 months they were severely affected due to Covid-19 pandemic. It is a good indication that pilgrims are flocking to the Garhwal region for religious and adventure tourism,” said City Trader Union president Kamal Brijwasi.

Saint community has also urged pilgrims to arrive for Char Dham pilgrimage adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. “I had met CM Pushkar Singh Dhami twice in this regard. He had given assurance and now finally Char Dham pilgrimage has resumes,” said Swami Yatindranand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada.

Haridwar chief medical officer Dr Shambhu Kumar Jha said Covid-19 testing has been increased in the city in view of opening up of yatra.

“Facilities for vaccination as well as Covid-19 testing are in place and we are also urging pilgrims to maintain social distancing, wear face masks and adhere to Char Dham-specific Covid standard operation procedure,” said Jha.

Haridwar SSP Yogendra Singh Rawat said, “At Har-Ki-Pauri and border entry points, police personnel are generating awareness about Covid-19 norms and Char Dham-specific SoP.”

Allowing Char Dham yatra is a welcome step. Traders are happy as for the past 20 months they were severely affected due to pandemic KAMAL BRIJWASI, Trader Union president

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