Char Dham Yatra Guide 2026
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus. It consists of visiting four holy shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas:
- Yamunotri – The source of the Yamuna River, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
- Gangotri – The origin of the Ganges River, dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
- Kedarnath – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
- Badrinath – Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, part of the Char Dham of India.
Yatra Details
- The yatra typically starts from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun and follows the route Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath.
- It usually takes 10-12 days to complete.
- The best time for the pilgrimage is from May to October (except during monsoons due to landslides).
About CharDham Yatra Temples in Uttarakhand
The Char Dham temples Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are located in the serene mountains of Uttarakhand. Each temple holds unique beliefs and significance, drawing countless devotees seeking blessings. Tradition suggests that the Char Dham Yatra should be completed in a clockwise direction, beginning at Yamunotri, continuing to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath.
Yamunotri Temple: Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and serves as the first stop on the Char Dham Yatra. Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri Temple draws pilgrims who come to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Goddess Yamuna. A key attraction at Yamunotri is Surya Kund, a hot water spring where devotees take a holy dip. It is believed that bathing in the warm waters of Surya Kund cleanses one of sins and provides protection from untimely death.
Gangotri Temple: Gangotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, and according to Hindu mythology, it marks the sacred site where the River Ganga descended from heaven, released by Lord Shiva from his locks. The Gangotri Temple has a serene ambiance, with a beautiful white structure nestled amidst the majestic Himalayan range. Pilgrims can easily reach the Gangotri Temple by road, making it accessible for all who seek blessings from the goddess.
Kedarnath Temple: Kedarnath Dham, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds a prominent place in both the Char Dham Yatra and among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Kedarnath is situated about 16 kilometers from Gaurikund, with pilgrims reaching the temple on foot, by pony, palanquin, or by booking a helicopter ride. Each year, when the temple doors open, thousands of devotees visit Kedarnath to seek blessings and experience the powerful spirituality of this revered site.
Badrinath Temple: Badrinath Dham, situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also known as Badrinarayan Temple. It serves as the final destination of the Char Dham Yatra, where the sacred pilgrimage concludes. At Badrinath, pilgrims can explore notable sites like Tapt Kund, Surya Kund, Bheem Pul, Mana Village, and more. Badrinath is also part of the Panch Badri temples, which include Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and Vriddha Badri, along with the main Badrinath Temple.
Location of Char Dham Temples
Yamunotri: Yamunotri temple is located in Uttarkashi district, Yamunotri Temple is approximately 232 km from Rishikesh, followed by a 6 km trek from Jankichatti.
Gangotri: Gangotri Temple is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. It is 99 km from Uttarkashi and 259 km from Rishikesh.
Kedarnath: Kedarnath Temple is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, requiring a 16 km trek from Gaurikund. It is located 216 km from Rishikesh.
Badrinath: Badrinath Temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, approximately 284 km from Rishikesh.
Char Dham Travel Options
- By Road: Buses and taxis are available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
- By Helicopter: A faster option, available from Dehradun, covering all four shrines in 2-3 days.
- Trekking: Required for Kedarnath (16 km from Gaurikund) and Yamunotri (6 km from Janki Chatti).
Char Dham Yatra Travel News
17 Feb 2026
Registration Mandatory for Yatra, No Cap on Pilgrim Numbers
Registration for the Yatra will remain compulsory, though there will be no restriction on the number of pilgrims, divisional commissioner Vinay Pandey said. To curb fake registrations, a nominal registration fee will be introduced. Authorities also plan to make the registration process simpler, more accessible, and transparent.
Check: latest updates on Char Dham Registration Guide
12 Feb 2026
Uttarakhand Govt Strengthens Preparations for Char Dham Yatra
The Uttarakhand government has stepped up preparations to ensure that tourism and religious activities, especially the Char Dham Yatra, are safer, better organised, and more appealing for visitors.
State Tourism and Religious Affairs Minister Satpal Maharaj said the government aims to provide improved facilities to pilgrims along with enhanced security arrangements.
He also announced that a new initiative will be introduced this year, offering an insurance facility for pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra.
11 Feb 2026
Online Green Card System for Char Dham Yatra Vehicles
Green cards for commercial vehicles coming from outside states for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will now be issued online.
The Transport Department is launching a digital system to make the mandatory green card process more transparent, convenient, and time-efficient.
Under the new system, vehicle owners can complete applications, fee payments, tax verification, and validity checks online. After approval, they will receive a link via SMS or WhatsApp to download and print their green card. Check How to register cabs for green card.
26 Jan 2026
Badrinath-Kedarnath Committee Proposes Ban on Non-Hindus
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has announced a proposal to bar non-Hindus from entering Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams, along with other temples under its control (including Gangotri and Mukhba in some reports).
- Only Hindus will be permitted entry to these centuries-old shrines, part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
- BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi confirmed that non-Hindus will be prohibited from all temples managed by the committee.
- The decision will be formalized through a proposal in the upcoming board meeting, citing long-standing traditions.
This applies to multiple shrines under BKTC jurisdiction (around 45 temples).
23 Jan 2026
Snowfall Blankets Uttarakhand, Temperatures Plummet
Fresh snowfall has draped major Uttarakhand shrines like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, plus high-altitude spots in Chamoli (Hemkund Sahib, Auli, Niti Valley, Mana), Rudraprayag (Triyuginarayan), Uttarkashi (Harshil Valley), and Bageshwar.
Lower areas saw rainfall, causing a sharp temperature drop after a long gap. Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi, Kaddukhal, Nag Tibba, and Chakrata (including Lokhandi) also received season's first snow, intensifying cold conditions statewide.
Char Dham Yatra 2026 Opening Dates
Traditionally, the char dham yatra begins on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya with the opening of Gangotri & Yamunotri Temples. Below are the opening dates for each of the char dham temples for this year:
Yamunotri Temple opening date: 19 April 2026
Gangotri Temple opening date: 19 April 2026
Kedarnath Temple opening date: 22 April 2026
Badrinath Temple opening date: 23 April 2026
What is Char Dham Yatra famous for?
Char Dham Yatra is famous among tourist as Pilgrimage, Hindu Temples, Sacred Yatra, Himalayas, Trekking.
