As the Char Dham Yatra 2025 is set to begin on April 30, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a virtual meeting with district magistrates across Uttarakhand on Monday to review the preparations and provide necessary instructions to ensure smooth arrangements for the Yatra.
Ahead of the Yatra, preparations at Kedarnath Temple are in full swing. CM Dhami took to X, sharing an update: "Hail Baba Kedar...! Shri Kedarnath Dham is being decorated with flowers before the doors open. Devotees will be able to have darshan of Baba from May 2."
Char Dham Yatra registration also commenced on Monday. Special counters have been set up for senior citizens, the specially-abled, and foreign nationals, while 20 free registration counters are available for general tourists.
District Tourism Officer Shushil Nautiyal shared the news, saying, "The offline registration facility for Char Dham Yatra has begun today. We have provided 20 counters for the tourists, including separate counters for specially-abled, senior citizens, and foreign nationals. Today is the first day of registration and today's registration limit is 1000. It will change based on further instructions from higher authorities."
Yamunotri and Gangotri are also scheduled to open on April 30. Haridwar SSP Pramod Doval announced the commencement of the Yatra on Sunday and highlighted the preparations for the event.
He said, "We are reviewing police arrangements for the Yatra. Three halting areas have been identified, and CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations. Drones will be used for traffic management to ensure smooth movement."
SSP Doval emphasized that ensuring a hassle-free experience for the devotees is the top priority. "The area has been divided into zones and sectors with extensive police deployment. Additionally, five tourist police centres are being established to assist pilgrims."
The state administration is fully preparing to manage the large influx of pilgrims visiting the holy sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath during this year’s Char Dham Yatra.