Online registration for Char Dham yatra to begin from March 6

Dehradun: Online registration for the Char Dham yatra 2026 will commence from March 6, with preparations entering the final phase, officials said on Friday. This year's pilgrimage will begin on April 19 with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The doors of Kedarnath and Badrinath will open subsequently.Tourism secretary Dhiraaj Singh Garbyal told TOI that arrangements were being finalised to facilitate smooth registration and travel. "Preparations are in the final stage, and systems are being put in place to start online registrations from March 6," he said.Garbyal added that, as of now, there will be no fee for online registration, though a final decision on the matter is yet to be taken.Offline registrations will begin a few days before the yatra starts. The tourism department has constituted 20 teams to visit hotels, ashrams and dharamshalas to facilitate offline bookings for devotees travelling in groups. "This will save time and reduce the need to stand in queues," he said.Around 50 lakh pilgrims visit the four shrines — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — every year, and authorities expect the figure to cross that mark this season.