The annual Char Dham Yatra officially commenced this Sunday as the portals of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarakhand were reopened after their six-month winter hiatus. The auspicious reopening coincided with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, drawing hundreds of pilgrims to the Uttarkashi district.
Ceremonial Opening
Amidst the echoing of Vedic hymns and religious slogans, the temple doors were thrown open to the public:
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Gangotri Temple: Opened at 12:15 PM.
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Yamunotri Temple: Opened at 12:35 PM.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the ceremony at Gangotri, where the inaugural prayers were offered in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CM emphasized the state’s commitment to a “green and clean” pilgrimage and assured robust safety measures for the millions expected to visit.
New Entry Protocols and Regulations
This year’s yatra introduces several significant policy changes and restrictions across the shrines:
| Temple | Entry Requirements / Restrictions |
| Gangotri | Non-Hindus must consume ‘panchgavya’ to enter the premises. |
| Badrinath & Kedarnath | Non-Hindus must submit an affidavit affirming faith in Sanatan Dharma. |
| Yamunotri | Open to all devotees regardless of religious affiliation. |
| All Shrines | Strict Ban on mobile phones and cameras inside temple premises. |
Pilgrimage by the Numbers
The 2026 season is already seeing massive interest, following a record-breaking previous year.
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Current Registrations: Approximately 19 lakh devotees have already signed up.
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Previous Year’s Total: Over 51 lakh pilgrims completed the journey in 2025.
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Upcoming Dates: The portals for Kedarnath and Badrinath are scheduled to open on April 22 and April 23, respectively.
The government continues to urge pilgrims to follow all safety guidelines as they navigate the high-altitude routes of the Himalayas.
