The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), a tourism unit of the Uttarakhand government, is surprised with the mass queries its helpdesk is receiving about the Kedarnath cave where Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed and meditated on Saturday.

The GMVN is thrilled with the response as they had received no queries from the tourists about the same cave last year.

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The poor response in 2018 had forced the GMVN to reduce the tariff of Rudra cave in Kedarnath from Rs 3000 per day to Rs 990.

“Our helpdesk is receiving big queries about helicopter service and Rudra cave. The cave was launched for tourists last year but we failed to get any response. This time there is big excitement among tourist to explore the cave and we are optimistic that it will become popular among tourists,” says GMVN General Manager (Tourism) BL Rana.

The GMVN has uploaded new information about the Kedarnath meditation cave on its website. One will have to undergo a medical test at Guptkashi, before being allowed to dwell in the cave. A tourist can book the Rudra cave for a maximum of three days. The old tariff of Rs 990 per day is operational for now.

Located at an altitude of 3583 mts (approx), the cave was earlier used by godmen. It was renovated last year and the booking process has started now.

According to GMVN, “He/She will be allowed to stay in meditation cave only if he/she was found medically fit and physically sound. Only one person will be allowed one time in the meditation cave.”

The strict norms even states, “Once the booking was made, no refund will be provided if the person cancels the booking, refuse to stay in the cave for whatsoever reason.”

Located about 1 km upwards on the mountain left to the holy Kedarnath temple, the cave is located at an isolated point. The cave comes with attached toilet, solar electricity, drinking water and an SIP phone.

The connecting line of the cave’s call bell to GMVN Kedarnath unit has got damaged in heavy snowfall, and online booking for the cave will start only after the line is restored. The cave offers complete isolation but in case of any emergency, the guest can contact GMVN any time for any assistance by the SIP phone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed at the Rudra cave in Kedarnath on 18 May. Local priests said Modi used to stay in Garud Chatti and mediate at Rudra cave long back.

The big media coverage of Modi’s Kedarnath trip and political parties terming it a violation of model code of conduct provided added publicity to the isolated cave.

After turning a big flop in 2018, the Rudra cave is expected to get big response this time.