This restriction has been lifted due to the decline in the number of pilgrims visiting the temple every day.

In view of the decline in the number of pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath temple, the ban on the entry of pilgrims in the sanctum sanctorum of the Himalayan temple has been removed.

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) President Ajendra Ajay said on Saturday that the ban was imposed on May 6 for security reasons in view of the unprecedented rush of pilgrims.

Ajay said, "There is very limited space in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and it could have been risky to let the pilgrims inside, hence the ban was imposed."

This meant that pilgrims could not go beyond the sabha mandap, but the restriction was lifted on Friday.

The BKTC president said that when the Kedarnath Yatra started in May, an average of 16,000-17,000 people used to visit every day, but now the number has come down to 2,000-3,000.

Asked the reason for the decline in the number of pilgrims at the famous temple, he said it is normal for the number of pilgrims to decline during the monsoon season and after the end of summer vacations in schools and colleges.

Ajay said, "Every year after June 20, there is a decline in the number of pilgrims as the yatra routes get hampered during the monsoon." There is another reason for the decline.

He said, "However, the number of pilgrims increases again during September-October when the weather is clear." 17,39,771 people have visited.