Char Dham Yatra 2026: Online registration begins today, pilgrimage to start from April 19

Dehradun: Preparations for the Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand have now intensified. The UT government has started the online registration process for the convenience of the pilgrims. From March 6, devotees can register themselves through the official portal and mobile app. This year a large number of devotees from the country and abroad are expected to reach Uttarakhand. The administration says that by registering in advance, arrangements will be handled better during the journey and the passengers will also get convenience.

What is the significance of Yatra?

Chardham Yatra is counted among the most important pilgrimages of Hindu religion. During this yatra, devotees visit four major Dhams located in Uttarakhand – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. These temples situated amidst the high hills of the Himalayas are considered extremely sacred. There is a religious belief that by visiting these places one gets freedom from the sins of life and the mind gets spiritual peace. This is the reason why every year lakhs of devotees come to participate in this yatra despite the difficult hilly roads.

When will the Yatra start this year?

Chardham Yatra will start from April 19. On this day, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will be opened for the devotees. After this, the doors of Kedarnath Dham on 22nd April and Badrinath temple on 23rd April will also be opened for darshan. As soon as the doors open, a large number of devotees set out to visit these holy places and the entire area is filled with religious enthusiasm.

How can online registration be done?

It is mandatory to register before going on pilgrimage. Devotees can easily register through the official website of Uttarakhand government or ‘Tourist Care Uttarakhand’ mobile app. For this, passengers have to enter information like their name, mobile number, identity card and date of journey. After completion of registration, passengers receive a digital registration card, which is required to be shown during the journey.

Will there be a facility for offline registration?

The state government has also made offline arrangements for those devotees who are unable to register online. According to the information, special counters will be opened at many places including Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun from April 17. Here passengers will be able to get themselves registered by showing their documents. The administration says that helplines and assistance centers will also be set up for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Why is the registration system considered necessary?

During the Chardham Yatra, a large number of devotees reach the hilly areas, due to which many times crowd and security related challenges arise. Keeping this in mind, the government has made registration mandatory. This makes it easier for the administration to estimate the number of passengers and make necessary arrangements. It also becomes easier to identify and assist passengers in case of emergency.