India, Sept. 23 -- Badrinath Dham has recorded more than 17.79 lakh pilgrims so far this year, according to Uttarakhand government figures, with the number reaching 17,79,805 by September 22. The pilgrimage began on April 23, and the government said the latest figure had surpassed previous annual records.

According to Tourism Department data cited by the government, Badrinath received 6,95,332 pilgrims in 2000, the year Uttarakhand was formed. The number rose to 7,68,107 in 2007 and crossed 10 lakh in 2008 and 2010. It fell sharply after the 2014 disaster, when 1,59,575 pilgrims visited the shrine.

Pilgrim numbers recovered to 10,48,051 in 2018 and 12,44,993 in 2019 before the Covid-19 period reduced annual footfall to 1,55,055 in 2020 ...