Uttarakhand Winter Char Dham Yatra: Voluntary Registration Proposed After 50,000 Visitors in 2025

The news

The Uttarakhand government is preparing to introduce, for the first time, a registration system for the winter Char Dham pilgrimage, even as the main season draws to a close with the scheduled closure of Badrinath temple on 16 November at 9:37 p.m. The proposal, outlined by Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal, is aimed at preparing data on pilgrims for safety and administrative purposes. Unlike the main Char Dham Yatra, where registration is compulsory, the winter registration would be voluntary, given the lower footfall.

According to the tourism department, the registration would help officials know how many pilgrims are reaching each winter abode, aiding in safety planning and management of local services. The move comes after more than 50,000 pilgrims visited the winter sites in 2025, following over 73,000 in 2024. The winter pilgrimage, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 8 December 2024 at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, is part of efforts to sustain religious tourism beyond the main season and support local livelihoods.

The winter worship sites are Mukhba near Harsil for Gangotri, Kharsali in Uttarkashi district for Yamunotri, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for Kedarnath, and Jyotirmath and Pandukeshwar for Badrinath. The main shrines have been closing in phases: Gangotri on 10 November at 12:05 p.m., Kedarnath and Yamunotri on 11 November at 8:30 a.m. and 10:28 a.m. respectively. The registration system, still under consideration, would be implemented with safety as the primary objective, officials said.

Which law governs the Char Dham shrines?

The Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand are managed under the Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath Temples Act, 1939, a Uttar Pradesh legislation that continued to apply after Uttarakhand became a separate state in 2000. The Act provides for the administration of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples through committees and defines the duties of their office bearers. The Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are also part of the Char Dham circuit, though their management follows the broader framework of temple administration in the state. The Char Dham Yatra itself is not governed by a single central law, as pilgrimage regulation is primarily an administrative matter handled by the state government.

Why is registration compulsory for the main Char Dham Yatra?

The main Char Dham Yatra attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year, making it essential for the administration to have information on their numbers, travel dates and destinations. Registration is done through an online portal and mobile app, after which a QR code-enabled travel certificate is issued, which is checked and verified at various points during the journey.

What are the winter abodes and how to reach them?

Gangotri's winter abode is Mukhba, reachable via Rishikesh-Uttarkashi-Harsil-Mukhba, with Harsil as the nearest major halt. Yamunotri's winter abode is Kharsali, accessible via Rishikesh-Narendranagar-Chamba-Barkot-Jankichatti-Kharsali, with Jankichatti as the nearest halt; road conditions should be checked during snowfall. Kedarnath's winter abode is Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, via Rishikesh-Devprayag-Srinagar-Rudraprayag-Agustyamuni-Guptkashi-Ukhimath, with Guptkashi as the nearest halt. Badrinath's winter worship is at Jyotirmath and Pandukeshwar, via Rishikesh-Srinagar-Rudraprayag-Karnaprayag-Chamoli-Jyotirmath-Pandukeshwar, with Jyotirmath as the nearest halt.

What has the winter pilgrimage achieved so far?

The winter pilgrimage has drawn over 73,000 pilgrims in 2024 and more than 50,000 in 2025, sustaining religious tourism after the main season. It has also provided employment to local businesses, hotel operators, homestays and taxi operators during the winter months. However, the proposed registration is still under consideration, and challenges such as road access during snowfall, particularly around Kharsali, remain.