Char Dham Yatra 2026 Begins: Doors Of Gangotri, Yamunotri Shrines Open, CM Dhami Extends Greetings
CM Pushkar Dhami on Saturday flagged off first batch of pilgrims in buses from Rishikesh and extended greetings to devotees arriving from across the country.
Published : April 19, 2026 at 10:57 AM IST
Uttarkashi: Amid rituals and chanting of Vedic mantras the portals of Gangotri Dham and Yamunotri Dham opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday, marking the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra. Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag and Badrinath Dham in Chamoli will open on April 22 and 23, respectively.
The doors of Gangotri Dham, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, opened at 12.15 pm, while the idol of Goddess Yamuna opened for devotees at 12.35 pm. As part of the opening rituals, the first prayers were offered in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pray for the nation's wellbeing, a tradition continued by the Uttarakhand government. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who witnessed the divine moment of the opening of Gangotri Dham along with several devotees from across the country and abroad, extended his greetings.
The sacred palanquin (doli) of Goddess Yamuna departed from Kharsali village for Yamunotri Dham on Sunday morning amid beating of drums while the palanquin of Goddess Ganga also departed from the ancient Bhairav Temple in Bhairavghati for Gangotri Dham.
Prior to the opening of the Gangotri Dham portal, Dhami's helicopter landed at the Harsil helipad, where he was welcomed by party workers and local residents. From Harsil, the Chief Minister travelled by car to reach Gangotri Dham. The temple has been magnificently adorned with flowers. During the Char Dham Yatra, which will continue for the next six months, the daily aarti and darshan of Mother Ganga will take place.
Extending a warm welcome to the citizens, CM Dhami appealed to everyone to participate in the Char Dham pilgrimage. He stated that his government has taken every necessary measure to ensure that the Char Dham Yatra remains both safe and well-organised. Dhami highlighted that the first prayers were performed in the name of PM Modi, who has a deep affection for Uttarakhand. He added that PM Modi regularly seeks updates regarding the preparations for the Char Dham Yatra.
On the other hand, with teary eyes, villagers bade farewell to their revered deity, Mother Yamuna. Amidst the resounding beats of drums, the chanting of mantras, and jubilant slogans, the 'Doli' procession advanced through the entire region, leaving the devotees immersed in a deep sense of devotion.
During the winter months, the 'Bhog Murti' (ceremonial idol) of Mother Yamuna resides at the Kharsali 'Gaddi' (seat), where worship and darshan are conducted in strict accordance with religious rituals. However, with the advent of summer, the worship of Mother Yamuna will now be performed at Yamunotri Dham.
"The portals of Yamunotri Dham have been opened in accordance with all prescribed rituals," said Pradeep Uniyal, treasurer, temple committee.
Meanwhile, the 'Panchmukhi Chal Vigrah Utsav Doli' (the ceremonial palanquin bearing the five-faced idol) of Kedarnath Dham, a revered symbol of faith and devotion, departed today from its winter seat at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, amidst elaborate rituals and the chanting of Vedic mantras. In accordance with traditional customs, the palanquin set out following a ceremonial circumambulation of the temple.
As the palanquin departed, the entire region reverberated with chants of "Har Har Mahadev," and a large number of devotees joined the procession, embarking on the pilgrimage on foot alongside the palanquin. A massive crowd thronged the temple premises, where devotees showered flowers upon the palanquin to seek the blessings of Baba Kedar. The temple was adorned with approximately eight quintals of flowers.
Prior to the journey, on Saturday night, rituals and worship dedicated to Lord Bhairavnath, an integral part of this tradition, were performed in strict accordance with scriptural rites. As per the itinerary, the palanquin will head from Ukhimath to Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi, where a brief halt has been scheduled to allow devotees to offer their prayers and seek darshan. Subsequently, the palanquin will make an overnight halt in Phata.
On April 20, the palanquin will reach the Gaurimai Temple in Gaurikund, where it is scheduled to stay overnight. On April 21, it will resume its journey to reach Kedarnath Dham and be ceremonially installed within the temple's inner sanctum. At 8 am on April 22, during the auspicious muhurat, the portals of the Kedarnath Temple will be opened for devotees for darshan, amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and traditional rituals. This event will mark the official commencement of the world-renowned Kedarnath Yatra for the year 2026.
Rudraprayag District Magistrate and BKTC (Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee) Chief Executive Officer, Vishal Mishra, said that comprehensive preparations for both the palanquin procession and pilgrimage season have been undertaken in accordance with the directives issued by the Chief Minister.
Sector Magistrates have been deployed to oversee security, traffic management, and other logistical arrangements. All essential provisions, including healthcare services, drinking water supply, electricity, and strengthening of roads and pedestrian pathways, have been largely completed to ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience during their pilgrimage.
Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal said that the state government is fully committed to ensuring the convenience of devotees, and necessary directives have been issued to all concerned departments to ensure that the pilgrimage is conducted safely, smoothly, and successfully.
To ensure that devotees do not face difficulties during the pilgrimage, the police and administrative have completed all preparations and a robust security arrangement has been put in place. Addition police forces have been deployed at the shrines.
For the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham pilgrimage routes, the entire stretch has been divided into two 'Super Zones,' 12 'Zones,' and 30 'Sectors,' with designated police officers to oversee operations. The pilgrimage routes feature six police stations, nine reporting police outposts, one 'Watch and Ward' post, and 13 seasonal outposts. Additionally, 12 dedicated tourism police outposts have been established. For the convenience of pilgrims, 'Lost and Found' centres have been established at both Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams.
The Health Department has deployed a team of six specialist doctors. Of these, two doctors will be stationed at Jankichatti, two at Barkot, one at Gangotri, and one at the District Hospital. One Medical Officer will be posted at Gangotri, while a total of seven Medical Officers will be deployed across Jankichatti and Yamunotri. Additionally, ten 'Health Mitras' (Health Assistants) have been appointed at Gangotri, and 24 at Yamunotri and Jankichatti.
This is the first time that the yatra is being conducted with restrictions on "non-Sanatanis." However, they can be allowed if certain conditions laid down by temple committees are met. The Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee had passed a unanimous resolution in this regard on March 10. Committee President Hemant Dwivedi later clarified that non-Hindus can visit the shrines if they submit an affidavit declaring their faith in Sanatan Dharma.
Similarly, the Gangotri Temple Committee announced that non-Hindus will be permitted entry only after consuming panchgavya (a mixture of cow dung, urine, milk, curd, and ghee). However, the Yamunotri Temple Committee decided to welcome all devotees regardless of caste or religion, adhering to the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.
The administration has also strictly restricted the use of mobile phones and cameras within temple complexes. While a complete ban exists at Badrinath and Kedarnath with storage facilities provided outside, Gangotri and Yamunotri have enforced a 100-metre no-gadget zone around the shrines. Officials said the decision aims to prevent disruptions in darshan management observed in previous years.
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