Uttarakhand opened online registration for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 at 7 am on 6 March 2026. Pilgrims can register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Also, they can use the “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” mobile app. The yatra then began on 19 April 2026, on Akshaya Tritiya. Hence, registration helps the state manage crowds on fragile routes.
How Pilgrims Can Register
First, pilgrims can sign up on the tourism portal of the state government. Alternatively, they can register through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. This gives officials early pilgrim numbers. As a result, officials can plan transport, stay and medical help along the routes.
Shrine Opening Dates for 2026
The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri opened on 19 April 2026, on Akshaya Tritiya. Next, the doors of Kedarnath opened on 22 April 2026. Then, Badrinath opened to devotees on 23 April 2026.
Offline Counters and Early Response
Offline registration began on 17 April 2026, two days before the yatra. On day one, 2,713 pilgrims registered at offline counters, according to AIR News. Meanwhile, online registrations had crossed 18.23 lakh by then.
Latest Update (7 October 2026)
The 2026 season set a new record. By 29 September 2026, 53,23,401 pilgrims had visited the four shrines, as per state data reported by IANS. Badrinath led with 18.10 lakh visitors, followed by Kedarnath with 15.57 lakh. Moreover, Gangotri recorded 8.41 lakh, its highest-ever footfall. Then, on 7 October 2026, the state said the total had crossed 56.18 lakh. Thus, the 2026 yatra beat the earlier record of 2023.
About the Char Dham of Uttarakhand
The Char Dham are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Yamunotri and Gangotri lie in Uttarkashi district and honour the goddesses Yamuna and Ganga. Meanwhile, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Finally, Badrinath in Chamoli stands on the Alaknanda and honours Lord Vishnu.
Char Dham Yatra 2026: Key Facts for Revision
- Online registration: From 7 am, 6 March 2026
- Portal and app: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and Tourist Care Uttarakhand
- Gangotri and Yamunotri: Opened 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)
- Kedarnath: Opened 22 April 2026
- Badrinath: Opened 23 April 2026
- Record footfall: Over 56.18 lakh pilgrims by 7 October 2026
Why Char Dham Yatra 2026 Matters for UKPSC
Notably, UKPSC regularly asks about shrines, districts and rivers of the Char Dham circuit. So, remember the opening dates, the registration portal and the record footfall. Also, link pilgrim numbers with waste and crowd management in the high Himalaya. For official updates, also visit the Uttarakhand registration portal. Next, for a related story, read about the Carry Me Back policy at Kedarnath and the BKTC rename proposal. You can also download our free Uttarakhand Current Affairs magazine.
So, are you preparing for the UKPSC Upper PCS 2026 prelims? Then join our UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series for regular practice.