Uttarakhand State PCS

• 20 Nov 2023

Chardam Yatra: More than 56 lakh devotees visited

Why In News?

More than 56 lakh devotees from across the country and the world visited the Chardham Yatra till November 18, 2023, creating a new record. In the history of the Yatra, a record has been made of the number of devotees who visited Hemkund Sahib including Chardham.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that about 75 lakh pilgrims had registered for the Chardham Yatra which ran from 22 April to 18 November. In this, more than 56.13 lakh people visited Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib.
• For the first time in the history of the Yatra, the number of devotees has crossed 55 lakh. Maximum 19.61 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath Dham. After this, 18.34 lakh devotees visited Badrinath, 9.05 lakh in Gangotri, 7.35 lakh in Yamunotri and 1.77 lakh in Hemkund Sahib.
• In the year 2022, 46.29 lakh devotees had reached Chardham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra. Earlier, during the Covid period in 2021 and 2020, Chardham Yatra could not be conducted completely. Only 5.29 lakh pilgrims had arrived in 2021 and only 3.30 lakh in 2020. In the year 2019, more than 34.77 lakh devotees had come for the yatra.

182nd Birthday of the City of Lakes Nainital

Why In News?

On November 18, 2023, the 182nd birthday of Nainital, the tourist city and city of lakes of Uttarakhand, was celebrated.

Key Points:

• Let it be known that the English businessman P Barron, who reached Nainital on November 18, 1841, was impressed by the beauty of this place and brought it in the eyes of the world. The date of arrival of the English merchant is remembered as the birthday of Nainital.
• It is noteworthy that in 1842, the fourth Kumaon Commissioner George Thomas Lussington officially settled Nainital under European settlement. After this, the British gave it the status of a small province and made it the summer capital.
• The tourist city Nainital gives the message of communal harmony along with natural beauty. Maa Nayana Devi Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, is situated on the northern bank of Naini Lake in Nainital. Gurudwara, Asia's first Methodist Church and Jama Masjid are also located here.
• Due to uncontrolled and unplanned development, the beauty and environment of Nainital is being adversely affected. There is a need to take strict steps to stop the growing concrete jungle, reduce traffic pressure, make people aware of landslide affected areas and stop tampering with nature.