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Uttarakhand: The 2025 Chardham Yatra will kick off with the grand opening of the doors of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples, both situated in Uttarkashi district, on April 30. This marks the beginning of one of the most anticipated spiritual journeys in India, drawing thousands of pilgrims to the sacred shrines nestled in the majestic Himalayas.
With the number of devotees reaching an impressive 17 lakh ahead of the Chardham Yatra, the Uttarakhand government has announced a significant decision to increase the online registration limit to 75%. This step comes in response to the growing number of pilgrims eager to embark on the sacred pilgrimage to the four holy shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The decision aims to ensure a smooth and organized flow of devotees, enhancing the overall experience of the yatra while maintaining safety protocols. By raising the registration limit, the government seeks to accommodate the growing demand, facilitating easy access for all those planning to undertake the spiritual journey.
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey recently held a crucial meeting with hoteliers in the districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli to review preparations for the highly anticipated Chardham Yatra, set to commence on April 30.
During the meeting, Commissioner Pandey thoroughly assessed the arrangements and discussed in detail with the hoteliers to ensure a smooth and successful Yatra. He also welcomed suggestions from the local stakeholders to enhance the experience for pilgrims and ensure their safety and convenience during the pilgrimage season.
This year, the Chardham Yatra will officially begin on April 30, with the opening of the doors to the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi district, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya.
Following this, the portals of Kedarnath Dham will be opened on May 2, and the doors of Badrinath Dham will open on May 4, marking the start of the spiritual journey for thousands of devotees who flock to these revered sites each year.
Authorities are working meticulously to ensure all arrangements, including accommodation, transportation, and health facilities, are in place to cater to the large number of pilgrims expected for the Yatra.
hoteliers voiced their concerns and requested authorities to revise the online registration limit. Previously, the online registration was capped at 60%, while offline registration held a 40% limit. Responding to these concerns and after discussions with the district tourism officers, a decision was made to adjust the earlier policy. The online registration limit has now been increased to 75%, with a partial revision of the previous guidelines, following the hoteliers’ request.
hoteliers have requested the establishment of additional registration counters along the yatra routes of each Dham.
The Garhwal Commissioner has called on hoteliers to cooperate with the administration to ensure a well-organized, safe, and pleasant Chardham Yatra. He emphasized that the success of the pilgrimage will rely on the joint efforts of all stakeholders involved.
In a move to streamline the process, the government began online registration for the Chardham Yatra on March 20. As of now, over 17 lakh devotees have registered. Kedarnath leads with the highest number of registrations at 6,58,149, followed by 3,10,755 devotees for Yamunotri, 3,44,278 for Gangotri, and 5,83,747 for Badrinath.
Offline registration for the Yatra will begin on April 25.
To ensure thorough preparations, a state-level ‘mock drill’ will take place on April 24, testing various aspects related to the Chardham Yatra. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand’s State Disaster Management Secretary, Vinod Kumar Suman, announced that a ‘mock drill’ will be conducted to evaluate the preparedness of various departments for managing potential disasters during the Yatra. Organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Union Home Ministry, and the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), this exercise will test the Incident Response System (IRS) to ensure an effective response to any emergencies.
The mock drill will involve seven key districts—Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, and Haridwar—and will focus on simulating disaster scenarios that could occur during the Yatra. The goal is to enhance coordination and preparedness among local agencies to safeguard the pilgrims and ensure smooth management throughout the event.
In response to this, Pandey has acknowledged the request and given approval for the opening of more registration centers along the various Dham routes.
Specifically, new registration counters will be set up at the following locations:
- Badrinath Dham: Gauchar
- Gangotri Dham: Heena and Uttarkashi
- Yamunotri Dham: Dobata and Damta
- Kedarnath Dham: Guptkashi
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