With the auspicious dates for the opening of the gates of the four *Dhams* (shrines) now finalized, preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage are in their final stages. The state government is actively engaged in making robust arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe journey for devotees arriving from across the country and the world. The number of registrations, which began on March 6, has already neared the 1-million mark.
Only 22 days now remain until the commencement of the Char Dham pilgrimage. In addition to the Tourism Department, various other departments—including Health, Electricity, Public Works, Drinking Water, Transport, Police and Administration, and Animal Husbandry—are currently finalizing their respective arrangements. At Kedarnath Dham, a layer of snow measuring three to four feet has accumulated. On Thursday, a joint team comprising district administration officials and police personnel visited Kedarnath Dham to take stock of the arrangements. A top priority for the district administration is clearing the snow and restoring the pedestrian route leading from Badi Lincholi and Choti Lincholi up to the Kedarnath Temple.
The police have formulated a comprehensive plan to tackle potential traffic congestion along the Char Dham pilgrimage routes. To provide better healthcare facilities to devotees, newly constructed hospitals at both Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams will be made operational this season. This initiative will ensure that devotees have access to medical treatment right within the shrine precincts in the event of an emergency.
The Tourism Department commenced the pilgrimage registration process on March 6. Within just 20 days, the number of registrations has already exceeded 937,000. Once again, there is immense enthusiasm among pilgrims to undertake the Char Dham journey this year—a fact clearly corroborated by the registration statistics.
**The Journey Is Not Without Its Challenges**
Uttarakhand is a region sensitive to natural disasters. The Char Dham pilgrimage routes traverse several landslide-prone zones, where there remains a constant risk of debris and boulders falling from the hillsides. In several locations, road infrastructure has not yet been fully restored. Furthermore, a significant challenge facing this year’s pilgrimage is the global geopolitical situation arising from the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. If this conflict does not cease soon, it could potentially have repercussions on the pilgrimage itself. The Gates of the Shrines Will Open on These Dates
Shrine Date Number of Registrations So Far
Kedarnath April 22, 2026 3.15 Lakhs
Badrinath April 23, 2026 2.77 Lakhs
Gangotri April 19, 2026 1.73 Lakhs
Yamunotri April 19, 2026 1.69 Lakhs
