Dehradun: Elderly and disabled pilgrims visiting the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath will soon benefit from dedicated time slots for darshan, as the Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) prepares a standard operating procedure (SOP) to help them bypass long queues.
Exclusive Darshan Slots
Under the proposed SOP, exclusive 30-minute darshan slots will be reserved during both morning and evening hours at the two temples for senior citizens and disabled devotees. Pilgrims above 70 years of age will need to present their Aadhaar cards to avail of this facility, while disabled visitors must submit disability certificates.
Rising Pilgrim Footfall
The initiative comes amid a significant increase in pilgrim numbers this year. As of May 15, approximately 5.7 lakh devotees had visited Kedarnath, while 3.6 lakh offered prayers at Badrinath. The total number of Char Dham pilgrims has exceeded 14 lakh.
Addressing Difficult Conditions
Officials stated that the arrangement aims to address longstanding concerns about elderly and disabled devotees having to stand in queues for hours under challenging weather and high-altitude conditions. Kedarnath is situated at an altitude of 11,755 feet above sea level, while Badrinath stands at 10,279 feet. The region frequently experiences rain and overcast conditions.
Registration Process
Eligible pilgrims will need to register at BKTC counters to access the facility. BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi said, “The move has been initiated to provide a hassle-free pilgrimage experience to elderly and disabled devotees.”
