Govt fully prepared for Char Dham Yatra: Maharaj

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Mar: The Char Dham Yatra will begin on 19 April on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. The registration process for pilgrims started today. Considering the possibility of a record number of devotees this year, the state government has completed all preparations related to the pilgrimage.
Providing this information, the state’s Tourism, Religious Affairs and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the Char Dham pilgrimage holds great importance for Hindus. Every year, lakhs of devotees undertake the sacred journey to Gangotri Temple, Yamunotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Badrinath Temple in search of spiritual fulfilment. Due to efficient management and safe arrangements, 5.631 million pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines in 2025. The government has made special arrangements this year as well to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
The minister stated that the registration process for the Char Dham Yatra began today. Under the pilgrimage schedule, the gates of Kedarnath Dham will open on 22 April, while Badrinath Dham will open on 23 April. The gates of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines will traditionally open on 19 April, the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Keeping the pilgrimage in view, preparations by all government departments are in the final stage. The government has made arrangements for both online and offline registration. For offline registration, a total of 50 counters have been set up—30 in Rishikesh and 20 in Vikasnagar, Dehradun. These counters will operate 24 hours a day to ensure that pilgrims face no difficulty in registration.
Devotees can register through the official web portal and the Tourist Care Uttarakhand mobile application. Pilgrims can also complete registration using their Aadhaar card, while foreign pilgrims can register using an email ID.
For pilgrims without Aadhaar cards, registration facilities will also be available at physical centres such as the Transit Camp in Rishikesh, Rishikul Ground in Haridwar, and the registration centre in Vikasnagar. Registration at these physical counters will begin two days before the opening of the temple gates, starting 17 April 2026. Adequate arrangements for accommodation have also been made at registration sites.
Satpal Maharaj further stated that sufficient public toilets and drinking water facilities have been arranged along the pilgrimage routes. Adequate medical facilities will also be available for pilgrims. Instructions have been issued to repair both the main and alternative routes along the pilgrimage path.
To ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will also be issued. During the journey, it will be mandatory for every vehicle’s trip card to include details of the passengers and driver, along with the tour operator or vehicle owner’s name, mobile number, and licence number.
The Tourism Minister also stated that a total of 1,800 buses will operate during the Char Dham Yatra this year, including 400 reserve buses. Approximately 130 buses will depart daily, covering about 1,300 routes over a 10-day travel cycle.