Massage centres to be introduced for Kedarnath pilgrims from next season

Kedarnath Temple, situated at a height of 3583 m in the Himalayas, lies in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Nestled amidst snow-clad mountains, thousands of pilgrims throng this place every year. It remains open for only six months a year due to severe climatic conditions and is one of the Char Dham Yatra destinations. Also, there is no motorable road to Kedarnath and one either has to trek 14 km from Gaurikund or opt for a horse ride to reach the temple, whereas the other way to reach this place is via helicopters.

The Uttarakhand Government is, therefore, now planning to introduce new improved facilities to ease the journey of those pilgrims. As per the latest news reports, massage facilities will be introduced for pilgrims, i.e., along the 16 km route from Gaurikhand to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand from next year. And according to the state government’s policy, seven massage centres will be set up that will be equipped with massage chairs, which you see in those shopping malls. Reports state that the centres will be set up at main halts, i.e., Bheembali, Rudra Point, Lincholi, and Junglechatti, along the uphill trek to the shrine. Referring to this development, an official said that this decision is part of state government’s efforts to add enhanced facilities for pilgrims en route to the shrine, to enrich their trek experience. He also stated that this will help create employment opportunities for locals.

Records state that more than 10 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath this year, which broke all the past records. If everything goes as planned, with the introduction of the new facilities, the number is expected to witness a spike in the coming years.