Over 17 lakh people visit Badrinath and Kedarnath temples

For the first time after the 2013 deluge, more than 17 lakh people have visited Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in the Himalayas over the past five months this yatra season, an official said Saturday.

The portals of Badrinath temple were opened for devotees on April 30, and till October 26, over 10 lakh people visited the shrine, he said.

If one adds to it the number of people who have visited Kedarnath temple between April 29 and October 26, it comes to 17,19,678, Badrinath Mandir samiti PRO Harish Gaud said.

It is a record high after the 2013 tragedy, he said. Last year, the number of pilgrims to visit the two shrines during this period was around eight lakh, he said.

The rise in footfall at the two temples is an indication of people's growing confidence and enthusiasm for the annual pilgrimage, Gaud said.