CharDham
Yatra: Kedarnath Yatra rakes in money, 400 crore worth business conducted
Summary-
2019 Kedarnath Yatra has been fruitful for Uttarakhand. Badri Kedar temple
committee and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has earned 26 crore rupees. With
respect to visitor count and many other records have been broken at Kedarnath this yatra season
Rudraprayag/Dehradun:
Home to the faith of crores of Hindus, Kedarnath yatra has been special this
season for more than one reason. Not only for the devotees but also for the
economic health of the state and for the businessmen the yatra this year has
set many records. The Kedarnath yatra this year has raked in good money for
all.
Interestingly,
during the Yatra season a total business of about 400 crores has been conducted
in various forms. This also helped in creating jobs from Kedarnath bazaar to
the pedestrian walk way and other areas. The benefits were reaped from hotel
owners, helicopter companies to restaurant owners and others in the region.
The
portal of the Kedarnath shrines were opened on the 9 May this year. With the
onset of the Yatra thousands of pilgrims had started reaching the shrine, which
brought a smile to the faces of big and small businessmen in the area.
From
the start to the end of the Yatra the inflow of tourist continued. Though,
during the monsoon season there was a dip in the number of tourists reaching
Kedarnath. But soon after the monsoons were over Kedarnath was abuzz with
devotees and the number of devotees
reaching Kedarnath in the season crossed 10 lakh, which is the highest for any
season so far.
The
record boom in the number of people coming for Yatra this season has also
played a vital role in aiding the local economy.
1.
The business of ferrying pilgrims on horse backs concluded in a business of 55
crores, which has also filled the coffers of district administration with a
revenue of 5 crore.
2-
Paalki operators have done a business of more than 20 lakhs during the season.
3-
9 Helicopter companies have done a business of 76 crores this season by
ferrying passengers to and from Kedarnath.
4-
Badri-Kedar temple committee earned 19 crores and Garhwal Mandal 7 crores each.
5-
More than 1000 hotels, lodges and
dharmshala’s operating between Rudraprayag and Kedarnath have done a business
of 125 crores.
6-
Dhaba and small restaurant owners have earned between 4 lakhs to 25 lakhs
7-
Pahadi Kitchen in Sonprayag has earned a revenue of 1 crore during the season.
8-
On the Gaurikund-Kedarnath foot way, in between Chirbasa and Junglechatti 10
women self helf groups had put up stalls selling traditonal Pahadi food and
other products. This earned them a revenue of 20 lakhs during the season.
9- Another 1612 Women associated with 142 self
help groups earned 1 crore 22 lakhs by selling local products and prasad made
by them.
What the District
Magistrate has to say
Mangesh Ghildiyal, District Magistrate of Rudraprayag says “This yatra season gave employment opportunities to thousands,
helped women to get financial independence and also strengthened the local
business. The yatra season was safe and peaceful. The district administration
is also content that after conducting the yatra with best efforts we have also
earned a decent revenue.” As per the DM, the yatra this year has broken many records of the past.
Since the portals of the shrine were opened there was heavy inflow of
devotees. This was further accelerated after Prime Minister Modi came to offer
his prayers at Kedarnath. Close to 10 lakh pilgrims have visited the Kedarnath
shrine this season which has in turn benefited everyone associated with it.
The locals and the administration is hopeful that in future also this number of
pilgrims will keep on rising. The portals of the Kedarnath shrine were closed
for the next six months on 29 October.
Regards
