When does Char Dham Yatra 2026 start?

Char Dham Yatra 2026 began on April 19 with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri on Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath opened on April 22 and Badrinath on April 23. All four shrines remain open until early November 2026.

Is registration mandatory for Char Dham Yatra 2026?

Yes, registration is compulsory for every pilgrim visiting Char Dham in 2026. It is free of cost and can be done online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, by sending Yatra to +91 8394833833 on WhatsApp, or at offline counters in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun. Without a valid QR e-pass, pilgrims cannot cross checkpoints.

How much does the Kedarnath helicopter ticket cost in 2026?

Kedarnath helicopter round-trip fares for 2026 are approximately Rs 12,762 from Guptkashi, Rs 10,164 from Phata, and Rs 6,390 from Sirsi. Dynamic pricing adds 20 percent for bookings 6 to 15 days in advance, 40 percent for 1 to 5 days, and 50 percent for same-day bookings. Tickets are booked only through the official IRCTC HeliYatra portal at heliyatra.irctc.co.in.

Do I need to trek to reach all four dhams?

No. Gangotri and Badrinath have direct road access right up to the temple, with no trekking required. Yamunotri requires a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti. Kedarnath requires a 16 km trek from Gaurikund. For Yamunotri and Kedarnath, pony, palki, pitthu, and helicopter options are available for those unable to walk.

Are non-Hindus allowed at the Char Dham shrines in 2026?

In 2026, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has restricted entry to Kedarnath, Badrinath, and 45 other temples to followers of Sanatan Dharma, with non-Hindus required to submit a notarized affidavit affirming their faith. Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists are exempt. At Gangotri, non-Hindus may enter only after consuming panchgavya. Yamunotri remains open to all visitors regardless of faith. The Uttarakhand state government has not introduced any statewide rule on this; these are decisions of individual temple committees.

Are mobile phones allowed inside Char Dham temples in 2026?

Mobile phones and cameras are banned across all four dhams in 2026. At Badrinath and Kedarnath, there is a complete ban inside the temple complex with storage facilities provided outside. At Gangotri and Yamunotri, a 100-metre no-gadget zone has been enforced around the shrines.

How do I book darshan or pooja at Kedarnath and Badrinath?

Special pooja, aarti, abhishek, and priority darshan at Kedarnath and Badrinath can be booked through the official Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) website at badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in. Priority darshan slots cost Rs 2,500 per person and are recommended especially for pilgrims with limited time, such as those on helicopter trips.

What is the best time for Char Dham Yatra 2026?

Char Dham Yatra is open from April 19 to mid-November 2026. May and June are peak rush months. The monsoon stretch from mid-July to mid-September carries high landslide risk on the Kedarnath and Yamunotri routes. September and early October are the quieter and equally rewarding windows before winter closures begin.

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Events

Where is Kambala happening this year?

List of Kambala events scheduled in Mangalore, Udupi and Kasaragodu districts. Kambala is buffalo race held at coastal Karnataka between October to April.

Oct 8, 2022

Harshitha