Char Dham Yatra 2026 and Hemkund Sahib registrations open; Yamunotri-Gangotri gates to open on April 19

The preparations for Char Dham Yatra in 2026 have begun in Uttarakhand, where both online and offline registration services are now available to those who intend to take up the annual pilgrimage.

As per the official website of registration services provided by Uttarakhand tourism, registrations for the Char Dham route and Hemkund Sahib have already commenced.This can be done by using the official website or the mobile application that is made available on the platform. This digital registration service has been initiated to streamline the whole procedure and make it more hassle-free for pilgrims coming from all over the country.

It must be noted that the pilgrimage season would commence on April 19, 2026, coinciding with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which would see the opening of the holy gates of the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples. These two places act as the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra, one of the most important pilgrimage routes in India. Thousands upon thousands of pilgrims visit Uttarakhand every year in search of spiritual blessings at the four revered shrines of the Himalayas.

The government of the state has also made offline registration facilities available for those pilgrims who have failed to register themselves online. Registration counters started functioning at the Rishikul Grounds of Haridwar on April 17, with more than 150 pilgrims registering within two hours of the opening of the counters. As many as 20 registration counters have been provided at the venue with all-night registration services through three shifts.Besides Haridwar, there are also special registration counters in Rishikesh and the Vikas Nagar district of Dehradun. Pilgrims will be required to furnish valid identity proofs like Aadhaar card, PAN card or driving licence at the counter while getting registered.It is mandatory for all pilgrims to register for the purpose of managing crowds more efficiently, planning proper routes, and making it safe during the pilgrimage season.

Pilgrims who have registered will get a pass that would be equipped with a QR code and could be used while crossing the check posts.Visitor facilities have been made comfortable, where travelers will get chairs, drinking water, coolers, fans, and other support services in registration centers.The rest of the dates of opening are April 22, when Kedarnath will open; April 23, when Badrinath will open; and May 23, when Hemkund Sahib will open.Moreover, security and emergency response have been planned. Police outposts, tourist police centers, and rescue teams of disaster response agencies have been kept ready along the route.