Char Dham Yatra 2026: Online Registration Begins for Pilgrims
Uttarakhand government makes pre-registration mandatory as temple openings begin in April
New Delhi, Mar 07 : The online registration process for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 began on Saturday, with the Uttarakhand government making pre-registration compulsory for all pilgrims planning to undertake the annual pilgrimage.
Devotees can register through the official state portal or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand mobile application. Authorities said offline registration will start on April 17 at designated centres.
Temple opening schedule
According to the state government, the portals of Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Temple will open on April 19, marking the start of the pilgrimage season. The shrine of Kedarnath Temple is scheduled to open on April 22, followed by Badrinath Temple on April 23. Details regarding the opening of Hemkund Sahib are expected to be announced later.
Registration process
Officials said Indian pilgrims can complete registration using their Aadhaar cards, while separate email-based procedures have been arranged for international visitors.
For travellers who do not have Aadhaar, physical registration counters will be set up from April 17 at several locations, including Rishikesh, Rishikul Ground in Haridwar and Vikas Nagar in Dehradun.
Helpline for pilgrims
Authorities have also set up a toll free helpline to assist travellers with information about registration and travel arrangements. Pilgrims have been advised to complete the process before starting their journey to avoid inconvenience.
Religious significance
The Char Dham Yatra holds deep spiritual importance in Hindu tradition. The pilgrimage covers four sacred Himalayan shrines Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath and attracts millions of devotees every year.
According to belief, the journey traditionally begins at Yamunotri, the origin of the Yamuna River, whose waters are considered sacred and believed to cleanse devotees of suffering and fear.
