Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Since the 2013 Kedarnath floods, the Uttarakhand government has required every pilgrim — Indian or foreign national — to register before undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. It isn’t paperwork for its own sake: registration lets the state track how many people are on each route on a given day, cap daily footfall at each shrine so temples and mountain paths don’t get dangerously overcrowded, and locate pilgrims quickly if weather or a landslide closes a stretch of road. You cannot pass the checkposts on the route, or enter the temple complexes, without a valid registration.

The 2026 season opened with Yamunotri and Gangotri on April 19, followed by Kedarnath on April 22 and Badrinath on April 23. Closing dates for this season are confirmed: Gangotri closes November 10, Yamunotri and Kedarnath close November 11, and Badrinath closes November 13, 2026. The season is open now, so if you’re planning a trip before the winter closure, registration is still very much active — it just gets busier around weekends and festival dates.

• Valid government photo ID — Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, PAN card, or driving licence. Aadhaar is the most commonly used and fastest to verify.
• An active mobile number — required for OTP verification during registration and for SMS-based confirmation at checkposts.
• A recent passport-size photo — some registration channels ask for this to complete your pilgrim profile.
• Medical certificate — recommended (and sometimes checked) for pilgrims above 50, given the high-altitude sections of the Kedarnath and Badrinath routes.

Registration itself is completely free — there is no government fee for the e-pass through any channel.

1. Official website (recommended): Go to registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, create a login, enter your travel dates, select which dham(s) you’re visiting and in what order, add each pilgrim’s details and ID, and download your QR-coded e-pass.

2. Tourist Care Uttarakhand app: Available on both iOS and Android, this mirrors the website’s registration flow and also gives you route maps, weather updates, and accommodation info in one place — useful if you’d rather manage everything from your phone during the trip.

3. WhatsApp: Message "YATRA" to +91-8394833833 and follow the automated prompts to receive your QR e-pass — the fastest option if you’re registering last-minute or have patchy signal for browsing.

4. Offline counters: Physical registration counters are set up at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Hina, Sonprayag, and Pandukeshwar for pilgrims who’d rather register in person or don’t have reliable internet access. Carry your ID proof with you.

One registration profile covers all the dhams you select, and travel dates can typically be modified afterward if your plans shift slightly — though it’s best to lock in your route order early since daily slots are capped.

Verification happens at checkposts along the route and at each temple entrance — your QR code is scanned (or, in some cases, confirmed via SMS), and the government’s GPS-based tracking system logs pilgrim movement for safety and emergency response. This is also the system that helps authorities reach you quickly if a stretch of road closes for weather.

Print at least one physical copy of your e-pass in addition to having it on your phone — mobile network coverage genuinely drops out in stretches of the high Himalayas, particularly past Joshimath toward Badrinath, and a screenshot you can’t open at a checkpost causes real delays.

• Registering too close to travel dates. Daily slots at Kedarnath in particular fill fastest — during peak season (May–June) it’s common for weekend slots to be booked out days in advance.
• Only having a digital copy. If your phone dies or loses signal, a printed e-pass is the backup that keeps you moving through checkposts.
• Mismatched ID details. The name and ID number on your registration must match the physical ID you carry — a typo during registration can mean re-verification at the checkpost.
• Assuming one registration works for a group without listing everyone. Each pilgrim in your party needs their own details entered, even if you’re travelling together.

1. Is Char Dham registration really mandatory, or just recommended?

It’s mandatory. You cannot pass the route checkposts or enter the temple complexes without a valid QR-coded e-pass, regardless of how you’re travelling.

2. Does registration cost anything?

No — registration is free through the website, app, WhatsApp, and offline counters. Be cautious of any third party charging a fee for "registration assistance"; the government process itself has no charge.

3. Can I register for just Kedarnath and Badrinath, not all four dhams?

Yes. The portal lets you select whichever dhams you’re visiting — a full Char Dham circuit, a Do Dham trip, or a single shrine — and register only for those.

4. What if I need to change my travel dates after registering?

Minor changes like travel dates and visit order can usually be updated on the same registration. If you’re unsure whether your change is possible, the toll-free helpline (0135-1364) can confirm.

5. Do I need to register separately for each pilgrim in my family?

Yes — every pilgrim’s details and ID need to be entered individually, even under one family booking.

6. Does my taxi driver handle the checkpost verification, or do I?

Your e-pass and ID are your responsibility to carry and present, but an experienced Char Dham driver will know exactly which checkposts are coming up and what’s expected at each, so there are no surprises en route.