Char Dham Yatra

April 25, 2026 1:19 PM

Char Dham Yatra: History and ancient origins

Char Dham Yatra history holds a prominent place in Hindu culture as a spiritual journey to the four most sacred sites in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This pilgrimage is not only about faith but also carries a deep historical and cultural resonance that dates back centuries. It’s a profound journey that has inspired countless devotees, enriching India’s spiritual heritage. The origins of the Char Dham Yatra are closely associated wit...

April 10, 2026 3:27 PM

Uttarakhand: Mock drills at eight locations in Gangotri, Yamunotri

Mock drills were conducted at a total of eight selected locations in the Gangotri Dham and Yamunotri Dham areas under the Char Dham Yatra Mock Exercise 2026 in Uttarkashi district. In the Gangotri Dham region, mock exercises are being carried out at five locations - Bhatwari, Papad Gad, Kedar Tal, Dharali, and Telgaad. Similarly, in the Yamunotri Dham area, mock drills are being conducted at three locations - the Yamunotri pedestrian route, Paligad, and Kapad Gad. During the mock exercise, al...

April 10, 2026 10:24 AM

Uttarakhand government geared up for Char Dham Yatra, no cap on pilgrims: Chief Minister Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said the goverment has decided that there will be no cap for now on the number of pilgrims for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, following a review meeting on preparations. He assured that all departments are fully prepared to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage. He stated that all preparations for the Char Dham Yatra are progressing smoothly, with the state government prioritising the safety and convenience of devotees. Addressing the med...

June 30, 2025 12:29 PM

Char Dham Yatra resumes after 24-hour suspension amid heavy rainfall

The Char Dham Yatra resumed on Monday after a 24-hour suspension was lifted, officials said, as weather conditions slightly improved in parts of Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage had been halted due to continuous rainfall and the heightened risk of landslides across key routes. Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the development, saying, “The 24-hour ban on the Char Dham Yatra has been lifted.” District Magistrates across the Yatra route have been asked to regulate vehi...

June 29, 2025 11:02 AM

Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand

In light of relentless heavy rainfall and heightened risk of landslides, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been postponed for a day as a precautionary measure, officials confirmed on Sunday. The move has been made to safeguard the lives and property of thousands of pilgrims and residents amid deteriorating weather conditions in the region. Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated, "The Char Dham Yatra has been postponed for a day in view of the continuous heavy rainfall and the po...

June 15, 2025 4:06 PM

Helicopter crashes in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath; operations suspended pending safety review

A tragic helicopter crash in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning claimed seven lives, including an infant and the pilot. The helicopter operating on the Kedarnath–Guptkashi sector, is believed to have crashed near the Gaurikund area between 5:30 and 5:45 AM due to poor weather conditions. The aircraft had taken off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM, landed briefly at Kedarnath at 5:18 AM, and departed again at 5:19 AM. Preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by Controlled Flight...

March 26, 2025 9:10 PM

Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2025: aadhaar-based eKYC introduced for faster and secure registration

In a significant step towards modernizing the pilgrimage experience, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has launched Aadhaar Authentication and eKYC for the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Electronics & IT on Wednesday. This initiative is expected to streamline the registration process, making it faster and more secure for the pilgrims embarking on these sacred journeys. By integrating Aadhaar-based online registration, t...

May 17, 2024 5:56 PM

Police caution pilgrims against fraudulent Char Dham registrations

The Uttarkashi Police have warned pilgrims against using fraudulent means to register for the Char Dham Yatra. In a post on X, the police said, "The pilgrimage to Shri Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham is going on smoothly. All the pilgrimage routes are open. However, it has come to our notice that some people have embarked on the pilgrimage after registering for Char Dham through fraudulent means. Action will be taken against such people as per the law. Please plan on travel in accordance with the...

May 9, 2024 5:26 PM

Kedarnath portals to open tomorrow, huge crowd of devotees head for shrine

The portals of Baba Kedarnath Dham are set to reopen on Friday, after being closed for six months during the winter season. A large number of devotees have already arrived at Sonprayag and Gaurikund, the last halt before Kedarnath. Gaurikund on Thursday witnessed a throng of pilgrims waiting to book rides on horses or mules to the shrine, while many others were trekking the arduous path on foot. Preparations began earlier for the ceremonial opening of the portals of Kedarnath Dham through wors...