Char Dham Yatra 2024: Char Dham Yatra, a pilgrimage to the four holy sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, holds great significance for the devotees, which is scheduled to begin on May 10.
The pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, then moves to Gangotri, reaches Kedarnath, and ends at Badrinath, following a clockwise route. These temples located at high altitudes remain closed for about six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November).
Official Link
Here is the official link to register for Char Dham Yatra 2024: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
Pilgrims can complete the journey by road or air if helicopter service is available. Some devotees choose to undertake the Do Dham Yatra, which involves visiting only two temples – Kedarnath and Badrinath – as mentioned on the official website of Uttarakhand Tourism.
How to book air services
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey has advised pilgrims to book helicopter tickets for the Char Dham Yatra only through the official IRCTC website to avoid fraud and black marketing schemes involving heli services.
He also mentioned several other plans to improve the travel experience, such as improved parking facilities. This year, there are 20 designated parking areas with a capacity of 1,495 vehicles, whereas last year there were only 9 areas, and an app will be used to monitor parking.
Helicopter Rental
The Civil Aviation Department is starting a heli-transport service from Gauchar to Badrinath at a one-way fare of Rs 3,970. This amount does not include GST or IRCTC convenience fee for booking heli flights, which must be paid separately.
Meanwhile, during the first 15 days of the Char Dham Yatra, VVIP darshan will be limited to all the Char Dhams. 700 sanitation workers have been deployed to increase cleanliness on the Yatra routes.
Additionally, four new hi-tech modular toilets and an equal number of new mobile modular toilets have been introduced. If any problem arises, tourists can call 112 for assistance.
This year’s Char Dham Yatra will proceed with the same fares as before, as the transport department has rejected transporters’ request to increase bus and taxi fares.
The rental rates for helicopter services are as follows:
Govindghat to Gauchar: ₹3,970
Gauchar to Govindghat: ₹3,960
Gauchar to Badrinath: ₹3,960
Badrinath to Gauchar: ₹3,960
Badrinath to Govindghat: ₹1,320
Govindghat to Badrinath: ₹1,320
Govindghat to Ghangharia: ₹2,780
Ghangharia to Govindghat: ₹2,780
Note that these rates do not include GST or IRCTC convenience fees, which is charged separately.
Helpline Numbers
For any queries or issues related to Char Dham Yatra (available from 8 AM to 2 PM) and GMVN Hotel Booking, you can contact Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board: 0135-2559898, 0135-2552628, 0135-2552627, 0135-2552626
For office-related inquiries regarding Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board, you may contact them at 0135-2741600
For general inquiries and online offerings services, you may call: +91-7302257116
Contact number for pilgrim assistance at Shri Kedarnath Temple is:+91-8534001008
For assistance to pilgrims at Shri Badrinath Temple, the contact number is: +91-8979001008
For online services or assistance to international pilgrims, you can reach: +91-7060728843
(with agency input)