The registration for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 officially began on Friday, with the Government of Uttarakhand launching the online portal at 7 am for devotees.
This year's yatra will commence on April 19 with the opening of the portals of Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Temple, followed by Kedarnath Temple on April 22 and Badrinath Temple on April 23.
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Mandatory registration and digital platforms
Authorities have made online registration mandatory for devotees planning to undertake the yatra to manage crowds more efficiently and ensure the safety of pilgrims. Officials from the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board said devotees can complete their registration using their Aadhaar details through the official portal or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand mobile application.
"Online registration for the yatra has been mandatory across multiple digital platforms to ensure smooth management of the pilgrimage," Hindustan Times quoted Tourism department OSD Prajapati Nautiyal as saying.
He added that registration began at 7 am on Friday and the data registered will be compiled by late evening or following morning.
Officials have clearly stated that no pilgrim will be allowed to enter the Char Dham shrines without prior registration.
To make the process easier for those who struggle with digital platforms, the government has also initiated offline registration centres, which are expected to begin functioning from April 17.
Registration centres
Physical registration counters will be set up in Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun to help pilgrims complete the registration. In addition, authorities have initiated a GPS-based monitoring system to track registered pilgrims during the yatra.
Meanwhile, the hospitality sector is already preparing for the rush. Hotels in the Uttarkashi region currently observed bookings of around 8 to 10 per cent, but industry representatives believe the momentum will rise to over 50 per cent within the first month after the temples open.
The Char Dham Yatra remains one of the most significant religious pilgrimages, attracting millions of devotees each year. Officials have advised pilgrims to complete their registration in advance and use the 24/7 toll-free helpline for assistance to avoid last-minute delays during the yatra.
