By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 20 Mar: Online registration for the Char Dham Yatra commenced today, along with registration for the Hemkund Sahib Yatra. The Char Dham Yatra is set to begin on 30th April this year.
Registration Process Centres have been established in Haridwar and Rishikesh for offline Char Dham Yatra registrations. The pilgrims can visit these centres to register offline. For online registration, travellers need to visit the Uttarakhand government website at https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Online registration started today, and to register, the Aadhaar card is mandatory. Offline registrations will begin 10 days before the Yatra starts.
Devotees planning to visit Kedarnath or Badrinath by helicopter will be required to register beforehand, as helicopter tickets will not be issued without registration. For further information, devotees can contact toll-free number 0135-1364 or alternate numbers 0135-2559898 and 0135-2552627. Those travelling by private vehicles will be required to ensure that they carry complete vehicle documents and the biodata of the driver accompanying the vehicles.
This year, in addition to the registration of pilgrims, private vehicles arriving from outside Uttarakhand will also be registered for the Char Dham Yatra. Vehicle owners will be required to fill out the declaration form online. Vehicles not registered outside the state will be stationed in Rishikesh, with passengers needing to continue their journey in local commercial vehicles.
Post-entry into Uttarakhand, the pilgrims can be stopped at up to three checkpoints along the Char Dham Yatra route, where their registration, vehicle documents, and Aadhaar cards will be verified. Vehicle checks are also mandatory at all border crossings into Uttarakhand.
A Token System for convenience will be introduced this year for crowd management and to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience. The pilgrims will receive tokens, including allocated darshan timings, making the visit easier and more organised. The token system aims to prevent overcrowding at the temples and ensure orderly darshan experiences for all devotees. Officials claim that offline registration arrangements will be made once the Yatra begins or about 10 days before the yatra begins.
It may be recalled that Char Dham Yatra for 2025 will commence on 30 April. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri will open on 30th April, followed by Kedarnath on 2 May, and Lord Badrinath on 4 May. Devotees across the nation eagerly await the Yatra, as the Char Dham portals remain open for six months annually, offering lakhs of devotees the opportunity to earn spiritual merit through this sacred pilgrimage.
