Dehradun, India | February 1, 2026
The Uttarakhand Government and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department have issued a detailed clarification on registration and logistics for the Char Dham Yatra 2026, amid strong demand from pilgrims across the country.
Authorities confirmed that online registration for the first phase opens today, February 1, on the official Tourist Care Uttarakhand portal, where devotees can book their travel slots in advance.
📝 Registration Begins February 1
Online registration (Phase 1): Starts February 1, 2026
Portal: Tourist Care Uttarakhand
Advisory: Pilgrims are encouraged to plan early due to daily caps on darshan
Officials said early registration will help manage crowds and ensure smoother movement during the peak pilgrimage season.
❄️ Snowfall Update: Kedarnath & Badrinath
Heavy winter snowfall continues to impact the upper Himalayan shrines:
Kedarnath and Badrinath currently have 5–7 feet of accumulated snow.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun war-footing snow clearance on approach roads to ensure timely opening of routes before the yatra begins.
Authorities noted that road access will be reviewed continuously based on weather conditions.
🛕 Tentative Opening Timelines for Shrines
As per tradition and established practice:
Gangotri and Yamunotri are expected to open around Akshaya Tritiya (late April).
The exact opening dates for Kedarnath and Badrinath will be formally announced on Basant Panchami and Maha Shivratri, respectively.
🚁 Helicopter Booking: IRCTC-Only Rule
To curb black marketing and ensure transparency, officials confirmed a strict booking protocol:
Kedarnath helicopter services will be bookable only via the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal.
No third-party agents or offline bookings will be permitted.
Pilgrims are advised to verify bookings exclusively through the official platform.
📊 Daily Darshan Cap Remains in Force
As in previous years, a daily cap on the number of pilgrims will be enforced at each shrine to ensure safety and crowd control. The Tourism Department urged travelers to:
Secure registrations early
Align travel dates with allotted slots
Monitor official updates for weather-related advisories
🧭 Official Advisory
Officials emphasized that all arrangements—from registration to transport—are designed to balance devotee convenience with safety. Pilgrims are encouraged to rely only on official sources for information and avoid unverified agents.
