Kanchi Dham to overhaul crowd management system for pilgrim visits

Officials have approved a comprehensive crowd management plan for Kanchi Dham, a major pilgrimage destination in the Kumaon region, after over 50,000 devotees descended on the temple during a recent weekend. Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat chaired a meeting where administrators outlined multiple measures to handle the growing influx of visitors more effectively.

The new system will require all pilgrims to register before entering the shrine, with capacity capped at between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors to maintain manageable conditions. The temple will implement separate entry and exit points to streamline movement and reduce congestion during peak hours.

Additional measures include establishing a shuttle service for visitors, implementing dedicated traffic management protocols around the shrine, and intensifying oversight of local hotels and homestays to ensure orderly accommodation. These steps aim to balance the spiritual significance of the site with practical safety and operational considerations.

The decisions reflect growing pressure on religious sites across India to absorb surging visitor numbers while maintaining standards of worship and pilgrim experience. Kanchi Dham, revered as the seat of saint Neem Karoli Baba, has increasingly become a focal point for spiritual seekers from across the country.