The revered Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand, which includes the sacred sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, began on April 30, 2025. To facilitate a safe and well-organized pilgrimage for devotees, the Uttarakhand government has introduced a series of extensive arrangements. In the initial weeks of the pilgrimage season, there has been a substantial rise in the number of visitors heading to the Dhams. As of May 12, 2025, the total footfall had reached 6,05,183 pilgrims, distributed across the four shrines as follows: Kedarnath (2,48,548), Badrinath (1,30,205), Gangotri (1,04,300), and Yamunotri (1,22,130).
Tourism Secretary Shri Sachin Kurve once again assessed the preparedness of the yatra and issued directives to ground-level officials, instructing them to ensure that the pilgrimage proceeds without difficulties. He emphasized establishing effective communication channels with key groups such as hoteliers, transport service providers, and the local priesthood to deliver a positive and enriching experience for pilgrims.
Simplified Pilgrim Registration and Safety Framework
For the current yatra season, a hybrid registration system has been rolled out to streamline the process. Devotees can choose between online registration through registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and on-the-spot registration at designated counters in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Vikas Nagar (Dehradun). Additionally, pilgrims can register through the Tourist Care mobile application or by sending a WhatsApp message to 8394833833.
Eco-Conscious Campaign: Green Chardham Yatra
In alignment with environmental protection goals, the government has launched the Green Chardham Yatra initiative. Under this initiative, partnerships have been formed with various organizations to significantly reduce the usage of single-use plastic, and to ensure proper waste management and plastic disposal practices throughout the pilgrimage route.
Upgraded Medical Facilities for Pilgrims
In a major step to ensure pilgrim health and safety, two newly constructed hospitals have become operational—a 17-bed hospital in Kedarnath and a 45-bed facility in Badrinath. Furthermore, 25 medical specialists have been deployed across various locations on the yatra route. The health department has also put in place 20 Medical Relief Posts and 31 health check-up centers to offer support, especially for altitude-related concerns.
Moreover, 154 ambulances have been stationed along the pilgrimage paths, out of which 17 are equipped with Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems. To enhance emergency preparedness, AIIMS Rishikesh is operating helicopter-based ambulance services capable of rapid deployment.
Guidelines and Expectations from Devotees
All travelers are strongly advised to complete their Yatra registration before commencing the journey. Once registration is complete, helicopter ticket bookings for Kedarnath can only be made through the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal at heliyatra.irctc.co.in. The government has warned against fraudulent claims from unauthorized sources or individuals offering confirmed helicopter tickets through unofficial means.
Clarifying Rumors and Ensuring Authentic Communication
Secretary Kurve also addressed concerns about misinformation being spread regarding temporary closures of the yatra. He cautioned pilgrims to disregard such false news and misleading online content. The yatra operations are continuing normally with all necessary precautions in place. For trusted and real-time updates, pilgrims are encouraged to follow the official Uttarakhand Tourism website (uttarakhandtourism.gov.in) and the verified social media accounts on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook.
Additionally, all registered pilgrims receive regular WhatsApp updates about weather forecasts and other important travel information on their listed mobile numbers. Concluding his address, Shri Kurve extended a heartfelt invitation to devotees from across the nation to visit the sacred Chardham and assured that every possible step has been taken to guarantee a smooth, secure, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience.
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