What is Char Dham registration?

Char Dham registration is the mandatory online biometric registration system introduced by the Uttarakhand government in 2022 for all pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. All visitors to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath must register at the official portal with their Aadhaar or passport before starting the yatra.

When should I register for Char Dham Yatra?

Register for Char Dham Yatra as early as possible — the portal opens 2–3 months before the season start. For peak May–June dates, slots fill up fast. The daily footfall at Kedarnath is capped, so registering early secures your preferred dates.

How much does Char Dham registration cost?

Char Dham registration itself is free of charge on the official government portal. There is no registration fee for the standard pilgrimage. However, special darshan (VIP puja) at individual temples has separate fees paid directly at the shrine.

What documents are required for Char Dham registration?

Documents required for Char Dham registration: valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card preferred, or passport/voter ID), a recent passport-size photograph, and a medical fitness certificate for pilgrims above 60 years of age.

Char Dham Registration

Overview

Char Dham registration is the mandatory online biometric registration system that the Uttarakhand government introduced in 2022 for all pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. No pilgrim can enter the premises of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath or Badrinath without a valid registration slip. The system was introduced to manage daily footfall, ensure pilgrim safety and maintain records for emergency situations.

The official registration portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Registration is free of charge. Every individual pilgrim — regardless of age — must be registered separately. A single registration covers all four dhams for the same trip.

Item	Details
Registration portal	registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
Registration fee	Free (no charge)
Who must register	Every pilgrim, including children
ID required	Aadhaar card (preferred) / Passport / Voter ID
Senior citizens (60+)	Medical fitness certificate mandatory
Daily footfall cap	Yes — Kedarnath especially has limits per day
When to register	Before departure; as early as possible for peak dates
Valid for	All four dhams in one Char Dham Yatra trip

How to Reach

The Char Dham registration portal is entirely online — you register from home before your trip. Here is the complete step-by-step process for Char Dham online registration 2026:

Visit the portal: Go to registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in on any browser (mobile or desktop).
Create account: Register with your mobile number — an OTP will be sent for verification.
Fill personal details: Enter name (exactly as on ID), date of birth, gender, address and emergency contact number.
Upload ID proof: Upload a clear scan or photograph of your Aadhaar card or passport. Image must be below 2 MB.
Upload passport photo: Recent passport-size photo (white background preferred).
Select dhams and dates: Choose which dhams you plan to visit and your expected date at each. The system will check availability for Kedarnath (daily cap applies).
Medical certificate (if 60+): Upload a scanned medical fitness certificate signed by a registered MBBS doctor.
Submit and download: After submission, download and print your registration slip (or save as PDF on your phone). You will need to show this at every temple check post.

Biometric registration at check posts: At certain entry points (especially Sonprayag for Kedarnath and near Badrinath), biometric verification (fingerprint scan) is done to match your registration. Carry the same ID you registered with.

Best Time

The best time to complete Char Dham registration is as soon as the portal opens — typically 2–3 months before the season start (Akshaya Tritiya in April/May).

For May dates: Register in February–March when the portal opens. Kedarnath slots for opening week (first 7 days of the season) sell out within hours of going live.
For June dates: Register in March–April. Moderate competition, but popular weekends fill fast.
For September–October dates: Register in July–August. Good availability, but Kedarnath October pre-closing dates are popular.
Walk-in registration is available at offline registration centres in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Badrinath — but expect long queues and no date guarantee.

Travel Tips

Char Dham registration — critical tips:

Match your ID exactly: The name on your registration must exactly match the name on the ID you carry on the yatra. Even minor discrepancies (initials vs. full name) can cause problems at check posts.
Download offline: Save your registration slip as a PDF on your phone. Mobile signal is patchy near Kedarnath and Badrinath — don't rely on re-downloading at the check post.
Print backup: Also carry a printed copy. Wet/dead phone + no printer in the mountains = no entry.
Register each person separately: Group bookings require individual registration for every pilgrim. One registration slip cannot be shared between two people.
Kedarnath date is critical: Your Kedarnath registration date determines which day you can ascend to the temple. If your trek takes longer than planned, you may need to update your date online (allowed once, subject to availability).
Medical fitness for 60+: The certificate must be from a registered MBBS doctor and dated within 15 days of starting the yatra. Most operators or travel doctors in Haridwar / Rishikesh provide these quickly.
Keep registration active: The government may de-register pilgrims if roads are blocked. Check the portal or official Uttarakhand Tourism alerts before departure.

Documents to carry on the Char Dham Yatra:

Document	Required	Notes
Registration slip (print or PDF)	Mandatory	One per person
Original Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID	Mandatory	Must match registration
Medical fitness certificate	Mandatory (60+)	Dated within 15 days
Kedarnath helicopter ticket	If applicable	Print or screenshot
Package booking confirmation	Recommended	Hotel and vehicle details

FAQs

What is Char Dham registration?: Char Dham registration is the mandatory government-run online system for all pilgrims visiting the four holy shrines (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath). Introduced in 2022 to manage crowds and safety, it requires each pilgrim to register individually with a valid photo ID at the official portal. Registration is free and must be completed before starting the yatra.
When should I register for Char Dham Yatra?: Register as early as possible — the portal typically opens 2–3 months before the season start. For Char Dham registration 2026 for May dates, register in February–March when the portal opens. Kedarnath daily slots are capped and the first 10–15 days of the season are usually fully booked within 48 hours of the portal opening.
How much does Char Dham registration cost?: Char Dham registration is completely free on the government portal. There are no registration fees. The only costs associated with the registration process are for printing the slip (minimal) or obtaining a medical certificate if you are above 60 years of age.
Can I register at the spot on the day of my visit?: Spot registration is theoretically available at offline centres at key points, but there is no guarantee of availability — especially for Kedarnath where daily limits are strictly enforced. Always pre-register online before departure to avoid being turned away at the check post.