Nepali workers earn livelihoods along the Kedarnath trail

Numerous workers from Nepal travel to the Himalayan pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand to secure seasonal employment. When the temple doors open, a large influx of visitors arrives in the area, creating various ways for migrants to earn a living. Many individuals work by carrying pilgrims on their backs along the twenty-two-kilometre trail from Gaurikund to the shrine. Individuals engaged in transporting visitors report earnings ranging between 15,000 and 22,000 Indian rupees for a one-way trip to the temple. Workers can save approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Indian rupees after completing a round trip carrying a pilgrim. Beyond porter work, labourers also transport goods or operate local hotels and grocery shops to support themselves during the season. Bag notes that workers require several documents to work as pilgrim carriers in the area. The seasonal nature of the employment means that earnings are tied directly to the months when the holy site remains open to travellers.