Exclusive: Kainchi Dham may cap number of people who can visit each day

The Nainital district administration in Uttarakhand has proposed limiting the number of daily visitors to Kainchi Dham, a popular shrine associated with Neem Karoli Baba, to between 20,000 and 25,000. This registration system, modeled after the Char Dham pilgrimage mechanism, aims to regulate crowds and alleviate traffic congestion in the region.

Once the registration cap is reached, the online portal will become inaccessible for the day. Currently, pilgrims can enter the shrine without prior registration. The surge in visitors has been substantial; in the first six months of 2026, 24.34 lakh people visited Kainchi Dham, compared to around eight lakh visitors in the previous year.

On a long weekend in October, daily footfall surged past 35,000, overwhelming roads connecting Kainchi Dham with nearby towns like Bhowali, Bhimtal, and Mukteshwar. To address concerns about stranded residents and travelers during the rush, the administration is considering diverting through traffic from the main road leading to the shrine, while ensuring local commuters can still access the area without hindrance.

A key part of this plan is the Ratighat bypass, an 18-km road expected to provide an alternative route, with about 8 km already built and 10 km remaining to be constructed. The state government estimates the project will cost around Rs 21 crore and could be operational within four to six months. Discussions are also underway regarding adjusting the temple's opening hours, potentially starting as early as 4 am, although finalizing this change requires approval from the temple committee.

Officials emphasize that these measures aim to strike a balance between managing visitor numbers and accommodating the needs of pilgrims, residents, and commuters.