Char Dham Yatra 2026 is the most anticipated pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand. Char Dham Yatra 2026 began on April 19 when the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples opened on Akshaya Tritiya, marking the formal start of the annual pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the opening in a public ceremony. Kedarnath opens on April 22 at 8:00 AM and Badrinath on April 23.
The Char Dham pilgrimage circuit covers four sacred shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across India and abroad undertake the yatra between the spring opening and the winter closing of the temples, typically in November.
Char Dham Yatra 2026: Shrine Comparison
| Shrine | Deity | Altitude | Route from Dehradun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Goddess Yamuna | 3,293 m | Barkot – Janki Chatti (217 km) |
| Gangotri | Goddess Ganga | 3,048 m | Uttarkashi (245 km) |
| Kedarnath | Lord Shiva | 3,583 m | Gaurikund (230 km) |
| Badrinath | Lord Vishnu | 3,133 m | Joshimath (300 km) |
Temple Opening Dates 2026
Yamunotri and Gangotri portals opened on April 19, 2026. Kedarnath portals open on April 22 at 8:00 AM. Badrinath portals open on April 23, 2026. The opening dates are fixed based on the Hindu calendar each year, and 2026’s dates coincide with Akshaya Tritiya, considered highly auspicious for new beginnings.
Online Registration Is Mandatory
The Uttarakhand government requires all pilgrims to register online before undertaking Char Dham Yatra. Registration helps manage crowd flow, especially at Kedarnath, where footfall spikes sharply in May and June. You register through the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal and receive a biometric registration slip that authorities check at entry points along the route.
Pilgrims planning helicopter service to Kedarnath must additionally complete Char Dham Yatra registration on the IRCTC HeliYatra portal before booking tickets. Helicopter bookings opened on April 15, 2026, for journeys from April 22 to June 15.
Getting to the Char Dham from Dehradun
Dehradun serves as the primary gateway to all four dhams. For Yamunotri, the route goes through Mussoorie to Barkot and onward to Janki Chatti, the trek base. For Gangotri, you travel via Uttarkashi. Kedarnath is accessible via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag to Gaurikund, the trek base. Badrinath is reached via Rishikesh and Joshimath.
The new Delhi-Dehradun Expressway makes reaching Dehradun faster for pilgrims coming from Delhi and NCR, reducing the first leg of the journey significantly.
What to Expect This Season
Uttarakhand recorded over six crore visitors in 2025. With the new expressway operational and Akshaya Tritiya falling on the opening day, 2026 is expected to see heavy footfall from the start of the season. Pilgrims should book accommodation well in advance, particularly for Kedarnath, which is the most visited shrine on the circuit. State authorities are managing crowd flow with biometric checks and staggered entry timings.
Pilgrims with mobility limitations or who want to avoid the 16-km trek to Kedarnath can book helicopter services from Phata, Guptkashi, Sitapur, or Sersi. The one-day helicopter package from Dehradun’s Sahastradhara Helipad starts at Rs 1,10,000 per person.
Plan your Char Dham Yatra 2026 itinerary well in advance and book accommodations before April.
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