The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee announced a priority darshan system for pilgrims above 70 and differently-abled devotees at both shrines. Under a new SOP, each temple will run four 15-minute windows daily, with capacity capped at 50 pilgrims per slot, enabling 200 vulnerable devotees to attend each day. Entry during these times is restricted to eligible pilgrims who present identity cards, with Aadhaar and supporting documents verified on-site to confirm age and disability status.
Char Dham Yatra registrations have crossed 33 lakh, according to the daily bulletin. Kedarnath leads with 11,68,522 registrations, followed by Badrinath at 10,19,560. Gangotri logged 5,90,295 and Yamunotri 5,69,480. Hemkund Sahib recorded 48,428 devotees signing up, highlighting a sharp gap among the routes.
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More than 21,000 pilgrims completed the Char Dham Yatra using helicopter services since April 22, according to Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. The authority relied on an advanced monitoring system to support safe operations. Shuttle routes from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi carried 17,976 passengers, while chartered flights transported 3,974 pilgrims.
Wealthy Haj pilgrims are increasingly choosing luxury packages featuring five star hotels close to Haram Sharif, premium transport, upgraded tents in Mina and Arafat, and curated food services. Tour organisers say demand rose after actor Aamir Khan arranged special facilities for his mother’s Haj in 2011, sparking broader interest in comfort focused offerings.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved more than Rs 1,252 crore for Kumbh Mela 2027, earmarking funds for infrastructure upgrades, disaster management, and water supply. The package also includes major investments for the Rishikesh and Haridwar Ganga Corridor projects. The state is simultaneously preparing for the Adi Kailash Yatra, expecting a rise in pilgrims after the Prime Minister’s visit.
China says it will facilitate the travel of 1,000 Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, set to resume in 2026. The pilgrimage will be conducted in batches between June and August, with applications currently open for interested travelers. The yatra is considered spiritually significant for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists.
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Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district administration has intensified preparations for the Kedarnath Yatra after ground inspections along the route. Officials say improved token-based regulation will control pilgrim flow and curb overcrowding near the shrine. Adequate forces are deployed, including two Yatra magistrates at Kedarnath and additional sector magistrates on key road stretches between Sonprayag and Sitapur.
Kedarnath Temple reopened for devotees on Wednesday, officially kicking off the Kedarnath leg of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 with traditional rituals under tight security. The Yatra began earlier with Gangotri and Yamunotri in mid-April, and Badrinath is scheduled to open next. Organisers have introduced mandatory registration requirements for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia says this year’s Hajj will exclude all visit visa holders, limiting entry to Mecca and other holy sites only to people with official permits. The restriction runs from the start of Dhu Al Qi’dah until the 14th of Dhu Al Hijjah. Authorities cite the need to control pilgrim movement and improve safety.
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