Dehradun: The Char Dham Yatra 2025 is off to a strong and promising start, with over 13.5 lakh devotees already registered to take part in the sacred pilgrimage, according to Garhwal Mandal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey. The pilgrimage, which includes visits to the holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is set to begin soon, with the doors of Badrinath Dham scheduled to open on May 4.
Importantly, there is no restriction on the number of pilgrims participating in this year’s yatra. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to ensure that every devotee receives full support and experiences a smooth and safe darshan (spiritual visit).
Preparations in Full Swing
Speaking to ANI, Commissioner Pandey shared that the registration process is ongoing, and the administration is prepared to welcome all devotees who wish to undertake the yatra. He emphasised that the Chief Minister has been actively involved in monitoring preparations, even conducting daily reviews to ensure that everything is on track.
“We started planning for this year’s Char Dham Yatra right after last year’s concluded. CM Dhami directed us early on to begin preparations without delay. Since then, there have been multiple meetings to track progress and address any challenges,” said Pandey.
Key Focus Areas: Health, Parking, and Traffic
In recent meetings, including a crucial one held on April 5 at the Yatra office in Rishikesh, district officials, police personnel, and department heads gathered to fine-tune the arrangements. The focus has been on ensuring smooth traffic flow, accessible health facilities, and sufficient parking spaces for pilgrims.
To enhance safety and organisation, the entire 1,600-kilometre route of the yatra has been divided into 10-kilometre sectors, each supervised by police officers equipped with walkie-talkies and two-wheelers. These sectors are further grouped into zones and super zones, making the system more manageable and responsive.
On-Ground Preparations and Weather Update
Ahead of the yatra, a 30-member advance team from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has already reached Badrinath Dham. Their role is to oversee restoration work and ensure that infrastructure is ready for the arrival of pilgrims.
Weather conditions in Badrinath remain mostly clear, although patches of snow are still visible in certain areas and on surrounding hills.
The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most revered spiritual journeys in India, attracting lakhs of pilgrims each year. The yatra generally begins in April or May depending on weather conditions and continues till November. The four shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—hold deep religious significance in Hinduism and are located high in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
With registration numbers already crossing 13.5 lakh and state officials working around the clock, Char Dham Yatra 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most well-organised and inclusive pilgrimages in recent years.
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