The Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand is not just one of the oldest and most significant pilgrimages in the country by coincidence. This journey, spanning six months, sustains the economic cycle of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region. Its religious and economic importance runs deep, making it a unique religious tourism destination.
Religious Significance of Char Dham
The Char Dham Yatra includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri, considered extremely sacred in Hinduism. Sikh pilgrimage site Hemkund Sahib is also part of this journey. Tradition holds that Adi Shankaracharya initiated this pilgrimage, establishing the traditions of religious pilgrimages and inspiring devotees of Sanatan Dharma to seek divine blessings.
In Badrinath Dham, Lord Vishnu is worshipped, while Kedarnath houses the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Joshimath (Badrinath’s ashram) is established as a math of Adi Shankaracharya. Here, religious leaders like Raval from South India and local Brahmins such as Bahuguna, Dimri, Nautiyal, Joshi, among others, conduct rituals and manage offerings and prasad.
Economic Impact of Char Dham Yatra
Alongside the development of the Char Dham Yatra, there has been a significant increase in the number of pilgrims. In recent years, development projects such as road maintenance and construction, railway projects, and cable car plans have made this pilgrimage much more convenient.
Business Related to Horses and Mules
Thousands of registered horses and mules are available for the pedestrian journeys to Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib. There were 9,096 registered horses and mules just in Kedarnath, which serve the pilgrims and transport goods, contributing up to 200 crore rupees, which is significant for the local economy.
Business of Air Travel
Since the launch of helicopter services from Kedarnath in 2022, business has also increased. By 2023, this figure reached up to 91.41 crore rupees, and it is expected to exceed 100 crore rupees in 2024 due to increased helicopter rentals and the number of travelers.
Hotel and Homestay Business
The business of hotels and homestays along the Char Dham Yatra route is booming. There are over 400 hotels and homestays in the Gangotri Valley, over 300 in the Yamunotri Valley, and over 850 homestays and hotels along the Badrinath-Kedarnath route, amounting to billions in revenue. Within the initial two weeks of 2024, this business had already reached up to 200 crore rupees.
Contribution of Tourism Companies
Tourism companies also significantly contribute to this journey. On average, a traveler spends around five thousand rupees for travel to all four Dhams from Haridwar, amounting to 25 billion rupees from 5 million pilgrims, which actively supports the economic cycle of Garhwal region.
Small Business along the Journey Route
Small shops and dhabas along the Char Dham Yatra route thrive. Pilgrims often stop at tea stalls and dhabas at least three times a day, spending at least two hundred rupees daily, totaling up to 1400-1500 rupees per week from Haridwar to the pilgrimage.
Other Thriving Businesses
Local products also sell well during the pilgrimage. Markets in Haridwar and Rishikesh are bustling with pilgrims. During the 2024 pilgrimage, more than one lakh pilgrims bought souvenirs exclusively from Kedarnath alone. Since Prime Minister Modi’s call for local products in Mana village beyond Badrinath, the sale of local products from weavers and woodworkers has seen a significant rise.
Government Revenue
The Uttarakhand government derives substantial revenue, amounting to millions, from various sources such as GST, state taxes on goods and services, transportation taxes levied on vehicles, and toll taxes collected from heightened commercial activities and the extensive network of national highways crisscrossing the region.
Conclusion
The Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand holds immense religious and economic significance. It not only serves as a spiritual journey for devotees but also actively supports the economic cycle of the Garhwal region. Continuous efforts are being made to make the pilgrimage more convenient and secure, understanding its religious and economic importance.