Impact of India-Pakistan Tensions on the Char Dham Yatra

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Impact of India-Pakistan Tensions on the Char Dham Yatra


The 2025 Char Dham Yatra has been significantly impacted by recent geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, following a terror attack in Pahalgam. While the pilgrimage has not been officially suspended, there has been a noticeable decline in pilgrim numbers and tourism-related activities.(The Times of India)


In the first 12 days of the 2025 Yatra, pilgrim numbers dropped from 8 lakh in 2024 to 5.5 lakh, largely due to border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and adverse weather conditions. Badrinath and Gangotri, accessible by road, experienced the steepest declines, with Badrinath hosting only 13,971 pilgrims on May 11. Conversely, Yamunotri saw a higher turnout than Gangotri, with 1.12 lakh visitors compared to 94,251. Kedarnath witnessed a sharp drop as well, with only 20,424 pilgrims on Day 10, down from over 34,892 the previous year .(The Times of India)

Hotel Cancellations and Tourism Slowdown

The border tensions have also led to a significant decline in tourism in Uttarakhand. In Jyotirmath, a major stop for Char Dham pilgrims, around 50% of hotel bookings have been cancelled, reducing occupancy to approximately 40%. The Char Dham Yatra saw a 26% drop in pilgrim numbers compared to 2024, with Badrinath and Kedarnath witnessing reduced footfall. Similar cancellations have affected Nainital and Mussoorie, where hotel occupancy has plummeted to 15–40%, despite the usually busy long weekend .(The Times of India)

Outlook and Recommendations

Despite the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, significant uncertainty persists in the tourism sector, particularly affecting travel to northern India and border states. Over the past two weeks, around 80% of planned trips have been cancelled due to safety concerns exacerbated by the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and subsequent Operation Sindoor military action .(The Times of India)

Conclusion

While the Char Dham Yatra has not been officially suspended, the recent India-Pakistan tensions have led to a significant decline in pilgrim numbers and tourism-related activities. Pilgrims planning to undertake the Yatra should stay informed about the current situation and exercise caution.

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Ankita Singh. Travel blogger | Uttarakhand | Content creater | Photographer

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