Haridwar, India — April 18, 2026
Registration for the Char Dham Yatra 2026, one of India’s most significant Hindu pilgrimages, officially began on Saturday in Haridwar, with authorities putting extensive arrangements in place for the smooth movement of pilgrims.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is scheduled to flag off the first batch of pilgrims’ vehicles later in the day, marking the formal commencement of this year’s pilgrimage journey.
Registration Begins at Transit Camps
Offline registration for pilgrims has started at designated transit camps, including the Rishikul Ground in Haridwar. The process began at 6:00 AM and continued throughout the day.
According to officials, a total of 30 registration counters have been set up:
- 24 counters at transit camps
- 6 counters at ISBT Haridwar
By noon, approximately 150 pilgrims had completed registration, with the first group including around 30 pilgrims from Nepal, followed by devotees from Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district.
CM Dhami to Flag Off First Batch
The state government has made elaborate arrangements ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit. A high-level review meeting was conducted involving local authorities and Char Dham Yatra administration officials to ensure seamless coordination.
Chief Minister Dhami will ceremonially flag off vehicles carrying pilgrims, signaling the official start of the Yatra season.
Preparations and Stakeholder Consultations
- Transport operators
- Local traders
- Administrative officials
Suggestions from these groups have been incorporated to improve facilities and crowd management.
Encroachment Removal and Traffic Management
Officials also indicated that action will be taken soon to remove encroachments across the city to ensure smooth traffic flow during the Yatra.
Illegal roadside parking stands and unauthorized structures along key routes will be cleared as part of the traffic and safety plan.
Yatra Significance
The Char Dham Yatra includes visits to four sacred shrines in Uttarakhand:
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
Every year, lakhs of devotees undertake this spiritual journey, making it one of the largest religious pilgrimages in India.
