The Char Dham Yatra 2026 has begun without any cap on the daily number of pilgrims, after the Uttarakhand government scrapped the registration ceiling in early April. The change opens the four shrines to every devotee who completes free registration, no matter how many people arrive on any given day.
Online registration started on March 6 at 7 AM. Offline counters opened in Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar on April 17. Yamunotri and Gangotri opened their doors on April 19, Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath followed on April 22 and Badrinath on April 23.
How to register for Char Dham Yatra 2026
You have four ways to register, and none of them charge a fee. The official portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. You also have a WhatsApp option, where you send the word YATRA to 8394833833. A toll-free helpline at 0135-1364 takes phone bookings, and the official mobile app handles smartphone registration.
Carry a printed copy or screenshot of your registration confirmation when you travel. Police checkposts on the route will ask for it.
Why the Uttarakhand government dropped the daily cap
Tourism revenue from the Yatra is one of the state’s largest seasonal earners. State officials estimate Char Dham contributes more than Rs 4,000 crore in direct economic activity each year. The cap, introduced after the 2022 surge, slowed registrations during the early part of the season and pushed some pilgrims to attempt the journey without paperwork. Removing the cap is a reset to pre-2022 access.
What this means for Dehradun residents and visitors
If you live in Dehradun, expect heavier inbound traffic on the Rishikesh route through May and early June. Pilgrim shuttles from ISBT will run on extended schedules. Hotels along Rajpur Road and Sahastradhara are offering Yatra packages with included transport to base camps.
For locals planning to do the Yatra, the easiest base is Rishikesh, a 50 minute drive from Dehradun. From there, road and helicopter options run to all four shrines. Helicopter bookings should only be made through official partners listed on the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority site.
Cyber fraud warning during the Yatra season
Police have flagged a sharp rise in fake helicopter booking sites and travel scams. The Hellodoon city news desk has been tracking enforcement steps by the state Special Task Force. The STF blocked 180 fake social media links and shut 10 fraudulent websites in April alone, according to an Amar Ujala report.
If a website asks you to pay for registration, walk away. Char Dham registration is free. Always.
Plan your Yatra now
Yatra dates run through October 2026, with the shrines closing for winter at staggered times. Early May to mid June is peak season. If you want a calmer experience, plan for September. Rooms at the base camps are easier to find then, weather is stable, and crowds thin out.
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