Char Dham Yatra 2026: Gangotri and Yamunotri Open on Akshaya Tritiya

The Char Dham Yatra 2026 began on April 19 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Both temples had remained closed through the winter months and opened for devotees with full religious rituals. For the Char Dham Yatra 2026, Dehradun serves as a key transit hub for pilgrims arriving by air, rail, and road.

Opening Dates for All Four Shrines

The complete schedule for Char Dham Yatra 2026 is as follows. Yamunotri opened April 19 and will remain open until November 11. Gangotri also opened April 19 and closes November 10. Kedarnath Dham opens April 22 at 8:00 AM, following the arrival of the temple’s ceremonial doli from Gaurikund. Badrinath Dham opens April 23 and closes November 13.

The opening timings were announced in advance by the Uttarakhand government and the Char Dham Devasthanam Board. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially announced the dates and oversaw arrangements for the pilgrim management infrastructure.

How Pilgrims Travel from Dehradun

Dehradun is one of the primary starting points for Char Dham pilgrims. The Jolly Grant Airport connects to several major Indian cities, and bus services from Dehradun ISBT run to base camps at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Janki Chatti (for Yamunotri), and Gaurikund (for Kedarnath).

Pilgrims with time constraints can book helicopter packages from Dehradun covering all four dhams. These packages are offered by licensed operators and prices vary by route and season. Booking early is recommended as helicopter slots fill quickly in the early weeks of the yatra.

Registration for the Char Dham Yatra is mandatory. Pilgrims should register through the Uttarakhand Tourism registration portal before travelling. Registration is required for all four shrines and helps the state government manage crowd flow and safety.

Government Preparations for 2026

The state government has deployed additional police personnel along the yatra routes, set up medical camps at key points, and coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force for emergency readiness. Landslide monitoring systems are active on vulnerable stretches of road leading to the shrines.

Last year’s Char Dham Yatra drew over 50 lakh pilgrims according to state government figures. The 2026 edition is expected to see higher numbers given improved connectivity through the new Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which brings Delhi closer to Haridwar and Rishikesh by several hours.

What to Carry and Expect

Temperatures at the shrines in late April remain cold, particularly at Kedarnath (above 3,500 metres) and Badrinath (above 3,100 metres). Pilgrims should carry warm clothing regardless of the heat in Dehradun. Medical fitness certificates are required for senior citizens above 65 years of age for the Kedarnath trek.

Mobile connectivity on the higher stretches of the yatra routes is patchy. BSNL has the widest coverage in remote mountain areas. Pilgrims should download offline maps and carry printed copies of their registration documents.

For more on travel from Dehradun to the Char Dhams and accommodation options, visit the Hello Doon travel section for guides on road conditions and base camp facilities.

What Comes Next

With Gangotri and Yamunotri now open, devotees heading to Kedarnath should prepare for the April 22 opening. The Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund is approximately 16 kilometres one way and takes six to eight hours for an average walker. Pony, palki, and helicopter options are available at Gaurikund for those who need them.

Char Dham 2026 Opening and Closing Dates

If you are leaving from Dehradun, check our complete guide on Kedarnath opening in April 2026 and how to reach from Dehradun.