Religious TourismChar dham yatra registration is mandatory for every pilgrim visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, or Badrinath. You can register online through the official Uttarakhand Tourist Care Portal, through WhatsApp, by calling a toll-free number, or in person at counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Registration on the official portal is free. Any extra charges you see quoted online usually refer to helicopter bookings, accommodation, or vehicle permits, not the registration itself.
Quick Answer Box
- Char dham yatra registration is done through registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, WhatsApp, or offline counters.
- Basic registration on the official portal is free. Helicopter, accommodation, and vehicle permit fees are separate.
- Registration for the 2026 season opened in March, and you can still register for remaining travel dates through the yatra season, which runs until around November.
- You’ll need a valid ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, or driving license), a mobile number for OTP verification, and a recent passport-size photo.
What Is Char Dham Yatra Registration and Why Is It Mandatory
Char dham yatra registration is the official process that records every pilgrim’s details before they travel to the four Himalayan shrines. The Uttarakhand government made biometric registration compulsory after the 2013 Kedarnath floods, and the rule has stayed in place every season since.
Registration exists to manage crowd flow on narrow mountain routes and to keep track of pilgrims in case of a medical emergency or sudden weather change. Once you register, you get a Yatra Registration Letter with a QR code. Officials scan this at checkpoints and temple entry points along the route.
We’ve guided hundreds of Indian families through this process from our base in Himachal Pradesh, and the one thing every first-timer underestimates is how quickly slots fill up during peak weeks in May and June.
Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026 Start Date
Registration for the 2026 char dham yatra season opened on March 6, 2026, through the official mobile application, ahead of the online portal. If you haven’t registered yet, you can still do so now for upcoming travel dates in August, September, and October.
The portal usually goes live around 30 to 40 days before the temples open for the season. Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya, a date set by the Hindu lunar calendar that falls in late April each year.
Kedarnath opens a few days later, once the higher-altitude route is clear of snow. If you’re planning a trip for later in the season, register as soon as your travel dates are fixed rather than waiting closer to your journey.
How to Register for Char Dham Yatra 2026
There are four ways to complete your registration. Pick whichever suits your comfort with technology and your timeline.
Documents You’ll Need
Keep these ready before you start, whether you register online or offline:
- A valid government ID: Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, or driving license
- An active mobile number for OTP verification
- A working email address
- A recent passport-size photograph in digital format
- Emergency contact details for someone not traveling with you
- A medical fitness certificate if any pilgrim in your group is above 60 years old
Char Dham Yatra Online Registration Process
- Go to the official portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, or open the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
- Create a new account with your name, mobile number, and email address.
- Complete OTP verification sent to your phone.
- Fill in personal details for every pilgrim in your group, including age, gender, and ID proof.
- Choose which dhams you plan to visit and select your travel dates.
- Upload your photo and ID documents in the required format.
- Submit the form and download your Yatra Registration Letter.
This letter is your e-pass. Save it on your phone and carry a printed copy too, since network coverage gets patchy near the shrines.
WhatsApp Registration for Char Dham Yatra
If you’d rather skip the website, save 8394833833 on your phone and open a WhatsApp chat with it. Send the word “Yatra” and follow the prompts to enter your travel details, ID information, and emergency contact.
This method works well for older family members who find websites intimidating. You’ll receive your registration confirmation as a PDF or QR code once the chat is complete.
Toll-Free and Offline Registration
You can also call 0135-1364, the official toll-free number, and a representative will register you over the phone. If you prefer registering in person, counters are set up at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Sonprayag, and Pandukeshwar.
Officials at these counters will help you fill out the form and verify your documents on the spot. This option works best if you’re already traveling through Uttarakhand without having registered in advance.
Is IRCTC Involved in Char Dham Yatra Registration?
IRCTC handles Kedarnath helicopter bookings through its official Heli Yatra portal, not general char dham yatra registration. Your basic pilgrim registration is done separately, through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand system.
Keep these two processes distinct in your head. Registering for the yatra doesn’t automatically book you a helicopter seat, and booking a helicopter doesn’t replace your basic registration.
Char Dham Yatra Registration Fee: What It Actually Costs
Basic registration through the official Uttarakhand portal, app, WhatsApp, or offline counters is free. You may have seen different figures quoted online for a “registration fee,” and that confusion usually comes from mixing up registration with other services along the route.
Here’s what actually costs money during the yatra:
| Service | Approximate Cost | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic char dham yatra registration | Free | Yes |
| Vehicle Green Card / Trip Card | Varies by vehicle type | Yes, for private and commercial vehicles |
| Kedarnath helicopter (one way) | ₹3,500 to ₹7,500 | No, optional |
| Government guesthouse accommodation | ₹400 to ₹2,000 per night | No, optional |
The Green Card is issued separately by the Uttarakhand Transport Department through greencard.uk.gov.in, and it’s required for any private or commercial vehicle entering the yatra route. If you’re not driving your own vehicle, this doesn’t apply to you.
Char Dham Opening and Closing Dates 2026
Temple opening and closing dates shift slightly every year based on the Hindu calendar and weather conditions. We’ve put together a full breakdown of the 2026 Char Dham opening dates for all four temples if you want the exact ceremony dates and altitude details for each shrine.
Kedarnath Temple typically opens for the yatra season around April 22 each year, alongside Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath opening within a day or two of the same window. All four temples close between late October and mid-November as winter snow makes the routes impassable.
Common Registration Mistakes Indian Travelers Make
We see the same handful of mistakes repeat every season, and most of them are easy to avoid once you know about them.
Uploading the wrong photo format. The portal is strict about file size and format for ID photos. If your upload keeps failing, resize your photo to under 200KB and save it as a JPG before trying again.
Registering with mismatched dates across a group. When families book together but enter slightly different travel dates by mistake, it creates confusion at checkpoints. Double-check that every pilgrim in your group has identical or clearly planned dates before you submit.
Assuming registration numbers never expire or disappear. A few travelers we’ve worked with lost their registration number after a system update or a long gap between registering and traveling. Screenshot your confirmation and registration number the moment you receive them, not just the QR code.
Skipping the medical certificate for senior citizens. Families traveling with parents or grandparents above 60 often find this out only at the counter, causing last-minute stress. Get the fitness certificate from a registered doctor before you leave home, not after you arrive in Uttarakhand.
Confusing helicopter booking with registration. Some pilgrims think booking a Kedarnath helicopter through IRCTC covers their yatra registration too. It doesn’t. You need both, done separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Kedarnath registration fee?
Basic char dham yatra registration for Kedarnath is free when done through the official Uttarakhand portal, app, or WhatsApp. The only paid service related to Kedarnath is the optional helicopter ride, which costs between ₹3,500 and ₹7,500 one way depending on the operator and season.
How do I register for Chardham Yatra 2026?
Register through registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, WhatsApp at 8394833833, or the toll-free number 0135-1364. You’ll need a valid ID, a mobile number, and a passport-size photo for every pilgrim in your group.
Which are the 4 Dhams in India?
The four dhams in the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Pilgrims typically visit them in this order, starting from Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath.
How do I register for the 4 Dham Yatra?
Registration for all four dhams is done in a single process through the official Uttarakhand portal or app. You don’t need to register separately for each temple, since one registration covers your entire group’s travel dates across all four shrines.
Ready to Plan Your Char Dham Trip?
Registration is just one part of a well-planned yatra. If you’d rather have someone handle the logistics, from transport to accommodation to your registration paperwork, our team at WanderOnClick has helped hundreds of Indian travelers put together a smooth Char Dham itinerary.
Message us on WhatsApp at +91 98054 65686 and tell us your travel dates. We’ll help you figure out the right route, timing, and package for your group.
