A video recently went viral on social media showing a vi*lent fight among tourists on the Kedarnath Yatra route. The scuffle, which took place near a parking area, showed men swinging sticks at each other in broad daylight. Police later arrested those involved. Similar incidents have been reported since the Yatra began this year.
Video: Sticks In Hand, All-Out Brawl Among Kedarnath Pilgrims pic.twitter.com/F8ipViJMP5
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To control the crowds, local authorities in Sonprayag—a major stop on the route—had to use lathi charges to bring the situation under control and maintain order.
Despite these disruptions, the Kedarnath Yatra continues to see a massive number of pilgrims. Since the temple opened its doors on May 2, more than 1.14 million devotees have visited the holy shrine nestled in the Himalayas.
An official report released on Wednesday shared that the Yatra has already generated over Rs 300 crore in business. Local hotels, restaurants, porters, helicopter services, and small vendors have seen a significant boost in income. Women-led self-help groups, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers are also benefiting from this surge in pilgrims, making this year’s Yatra both spiritually and economically meaningful for many.
