Rishikesh, Sept. 24 -- Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup on Thursday said Hemkund Sahib has witnessed a record pilgrim rush this year, with around 3.40 lakh devotees already visiting the Sikh shrine, and the footfall is expected to rise further in the remaining 17 days of the pilgrimage season.

Speaking to ANI, Swarup said the number of pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib has been steadily increasing over the past few years, with this year's footfall already surpassing the previous annual record.

"Along with the Char Dham Yatra, the Hemkund Sahib Yatra has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Last year, the highest number of pilgrims, 274,000, came and visited Hemkund Sahib. This time, about a month and a half was still remaini...