Lakhs of devotees coming to Uttarakhand with the desire to have darshan of Baba Kedar and Badri Vishal are facing a new problem these days. Under the guise of faith, a big gang of cyber fraudsters is active, who are looting the pockets of innocent pilgrims by luring them with helicopter tickets and VIP darshan. After about one and a half month of hard work, Uttarakhand STF has exposed this organized gang and arrested two main accused from Nalanda district of Bihar.

This arrest did not happen just like that. STF’s Chardham Yatra Anti Heli Fraud Cell conducted continuous digital surveillance for about one and a half months, searched cyber trails and did technical analysis, only then it was possible to reach this gang. During the investigation, 143 suspicious URLs, fake websites and 27 WhatsApp numbers came to light. Apart from this, STF has till now blocked more than 300 fake social media links and more than 100 suspicious WhatsApp numbers. More than 134 cases of fraud have also been registered.

This is how they used to lay the web of fraud

The gang’s methods were very vicious. These people used to run fake numbers, social media pages and websites by pretending to be authorized heli service providers or agents. Fake URLs identical to the real website of IRCTC were created so that passengers could be deceived. Fake advertisements were run on Google by paying money so that their fake website appeared at the top of the search. As soon as a passenger clicked on it, he would be contacted through WhatsApp call or message and money would be extorted by sending a fake QR code.

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Money was laundered through Mule account

The gang had set up a complete system to hide the defrauded amount. Bank accounts were opened in the names of different people and were used like mule accounts. The cheated amount was withdrawn from the ATM as soon as it reached these accounts. The commission was divided between 15 to 25 percent among the gang members. During investigation, many complaints related to the bank accounts of the accused were found already registered on the National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Evidence of exchange of bank accounts, ATM cards and QR codes has also been recovered from WhatsApp chats. Police believe that this gang is spread in many states and many members are still absconding.

Devotees be careful, don’t make this mistake

Cyber ​​Police has clearly said that helicopter booking should be done only through the official portal. Do not give money on the basis of any unknown link, social media page or WhatsApp number, no matter how tempting the offer may seem. If you ever get cheated, immediately call the helpline number 1930 or contact the nearest cyber police station. The sooner the complaint is made, the greater the hope of getting the money back.

Badrinath Yatra: The Char Dham Yatra of the year 2026 has started. Today i.e. on 22nd April the doors of Kedarnath Dham have opened. So the doors of Badrinath Dham are also going to open for the devotees tomorrow i.e. on 23 April 2026 at 6.15 am. For which the visitors are very excited. Badrinath Dham is the last and most special stop of the Char Dham Yatra. If you also want to go here, then let us tell you how to register and by which route you can go.

How to register?
Like Kedarnath, prior registration is necessary for Badrinath Dham also. For this you can register through both online and offline modes.

online registration

• Online registration to visit Bradinath can be done on the official website of Uttarakhand Tourism, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
• After opening this website, the option of Char Dham registration will appear in front of you, click on it.
• After this a new page will open in which you can do Char Dham and Hemkund registration. Fill all the details in it and sign up.
• If you already have login details, you can also sign in directly.
• Apart from this, registration can also be done by downloading a mobile app named Tourist Care Uttarakhand from Google Play Store.

offline registration

• It is also easy to register offline for Char Dham Yatra, although for this you will have to go to Rishikesh or Sonprayag.
• After going here, you can fill the registration form by showing your Aadhar card or any identity card.

How to reach Badrinath?
You have three ways to go to Badrinath, first by flight, second by rail and third by road (bus).

Flight Route: This is the easiest and quickest way to reach, for this you will have to go to the nearest airport, Jolly Grant. From here you can take a taxi to Badrinath Dham. However, this method is going to cost a little more money.

railroad track: If your budget is a little less then you can also go to Badrinath Dham by train. For this you will have to reach Rishikesh railway station. After this you will be able to get a bus or taxi, through which you will be able to reach the Dham.

Bus Route: If you want to go by bus, then for this you will get a bus from Delhi which will take you to Haridwar or Rishikesh. From here you will get the facility of both direct bus or taxi. In such a situation, you can choose how you want to go according to your comfort.

The journey to the famous Char Dham of Uttarakhand has started. Char Dham Yatra includes Yumnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, of which Badrinath is the last stop.

How To Register Offline For Char Dham Yatra 2026: Chardham Yatra is not just a religious journey, but an experience of a difficult and divine journey to the Himalayas. Every year lakhs of devotees undertake this journey, and the registration process for 2026 has also started. If you want to do offline registration, then it is important to know its complete information in advance, so that the journey can be completed without any hassle.

How can one get registration done offline?

This time, the Uttarakhand government has created counters in many cities to make offline registration easier. Registration facility is available in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. A large number of counters have been set up at Rishikul Maidan in Haridwar and Transit Camp and ISBT of Rishikesh, where devotees can register themselves. Apart from this, offline registration centers have also been set up at many places on the Yatra route, like Jankichatti, Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Joshimath and Govind Ghat. It is important to get registered at these places because traveling without registration can lead to problems.

What documents are required for this?

If we talk about which documents are required for this, then you will need these things. Aadhar Card/Identity Card/PAN Card/Driving License along with one’s own mobile number and mobile number of any one of the family member, apart from this the date of Chardham Darshan will have to be mentioned.

What is the path?

Now let’s talk about the entire route of Chardham, this journey covers the four major Dhams of Uttarakhand – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Usually the journey starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh and in the traditional order, first Yamunotri, then Gangotri, then Kedarnath and finally Badrinath are visited. To reach Yamunotri, one has to trek about 6 kilometers from Jankichatti. After this, the journey to Gangotri is relatively easy, because the road there goes directly to the temple. But the journey to Kedarnath is considered to be the most difficult, where one has to trek about 16 kilometers from Gaurikund.

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The journey to Badrinath can be completed by road, which makes it a little easier than other Dhams. However, the entire route involves hilly roads, long distances and weather challenges, so preparation is very important. Apart from this, you can also travel by helicopter.

Strict protocol for health

The government has also tightened health protocols this time. Medical checkup has been made mandatory especially for people above 55 years of age and devotees who are already suffering from diseases. Many health centers and medical relief posts have also been created, so that there is no problem during the journey. Apart from this, movement of vehicles on the Yatra route has been banned after 10 pm. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of the passengers, because there is more danger in hilly areas at night.

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Preparations have intensified for the world famous Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Online registration of devotees for the upcoming yatra has started from Friday i.e. 6th March. The Tourism Department has completed all its preparations. From 7 am, devotees can register themselves through the website and mobile app.

Giving information, Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal said that this year Chardham Yatra will start from April 19. With the beginning of the Yatra, the doors of Dhams will also open on different dates. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will be opened on 22nd April, while the doors of Badrinath Dham will open for devotees on 23rd April.

You can register through official website and app

Registration has been made mandatory for all the devotees participating in the Chardham Yatra. Under this, devotees can register online from March 6 through the official website of the Tourism Department, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and mobile app Tourist Care Uttarakhand.

Facilities provided to Indians as well as foreign devotees

The administration says that with this, the number of devotees can be better managed during the yatra and security and facilities can also be operated smoothly. To simplify the registration process, Indian devotees have been given the facility of registration through Aadhar card. Arrangements have been made for foreign devotees to register through e-mail ID.

Offline registration will start from April 17

Apart from this, offline registration facility will also be made available for those devotees who will not be able to register online. This facility will start two days before the commencement of the journey i.e. from 17th April. For this, special registration counters will be set up in Transit Camp of Rishikesh, Rishikul Maidan of Haridwar and Vikas Nagar.

Toll free numbers issued for devotees

Apart from this, to help the devotees, the Tourism Department has also issued toll free helpline number 0135-1364, which will be available round the clock. By calling this number, passengers can get information related to travel, registration process and other necessary help.

The administration says that all departments are working in coordination to make the Chardham Yatra safe and organized. Extensive preparations are being made keeping in mind the travel routes, health services, transport system and facilities for the devotees, so that the devotees coming from India and abroad do not have to face any kind of problem.

When will the doors of which Dham open?

According to the information received from Uttarakhand Tourism Department, this year the doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham will open on 19 April 2026. Whereas the doors of Kedarnath Dham will be opened for pilgrims on 22nd April and the doors of Badrinath Dham will be opened for pilgrims on 23rd April.

Before the upcoming Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, preparations are being made to increase the special puja fees at Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham. A proposal in this regard will be placed in the board meeting of Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC). The final decision will be taken after discussing the proposal in the meeting.

Every year a large number of devotees reach Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham for darshan. No fee is charged for general darshan. Though the fee charged for special puja is already fixed by BKTC but now the fee for this puja may be increased.

Special puja fee in Kedarnath Dham

Till now, a fee of up to Rs 7,200 is charged from five devotees for Rudrabhishek puja in Kedarnath Dham. The fee fixed for Abhishek Puja is Rs 9,500, for Laghu Rudrabhishek Puja it is Rs 6,100, and for Shodashopachar Puja it is Rs 5,500. For Ashtopachar Puja, a fee of Rs 950 is charged from five devotees. Whereas for the whole day’s worship, Rs 28,600 is fixed.

Fee fixed for worship in Badrinath Dham

Similarly, the fee for special puja in Badrinath Dham is already fixed. At Badrinath Dham, a fee of Rs 4,700 is charged per devotee for Mahabhishek puja and Rs 4,500 for Abhishek puja. The fee for full day puja is Rs 12,000 and for Srimad Bhagwat recitation is Rs 51,000.

BKTC has now prepared to increase the fee for this special puja. Soon a proposal will be presented by the committee in the board meeting. After which this proposal will be considered in the board meeting. If there is agreement on this. The decision to increase the fees for special puja may be approved during the upcoming yatra. However, general darshan arrangements will remain free as before.

Let us tell you that this year Chardham Yatra is starting from 19th April. The doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri will open first. After this, the doors of Kedarnath will open on 22nd April and Badrinath Dham will open on 24th April.

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Preparations for Chardham Yatra have intensified in Uttarakhand. In the same sequence, a detailed review meeting regarding Chardham Yatra 2026 was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan in which officials of dozens of departments sat under one roof and brainstormed on issues like health, cleanliness and electricity on the yatra route so that the devotees do not face any problem.

The condition of health facilities on the Kedarnath-Badrinath route during the Chardham Yatra has always been a matter of concern. It is not uncommon for heart patients or the elderly to deteriorate while traveling at high altitude. In such a situation, the Chief Secretary gave direct instructions to Health Secretary Sachin Kurve that all the hospitals on the Yatra route should be fully functional before the commencement of the Yatra.

Special preparations for traffic jam

The Chief Secretary said that uninterrupted and balanced power supply should be ensured on the yatra route. At the same time, better arrangements have also been made regarding the traffic system. Lakhs of devotees from across the country reach Uttarakhand for Char Dham Yatra, hence traffic jam is a big problem. This time, the disaster management and police departments have been instructed to immediately inform the passengers through WhatsApp alert wherever there is a jam, crowd or any emergency on the travel route.

If the journey has to be stopped due to bad weather or any accident, then the responsibility of when and where the decision will be taken has been handed over to the Commissioner Garhwal Division. Along with this, instructions have been given to keep machines, equipment and necessary resources deployed in advance on the travel route. Instructions have been given for registration, treatment of animals on the given route and proper management in case of any untoward incident.

Instructions for installing QR code and signage

This time during the Chardham Yatra, there will be a new initiative on the technology front. QR codes will be installed at major religious and halting places, after scanning which the traveler will get complete information about that place on his mobile. Apart from this, clear signage will be installed on the way so that even a first-time traveler does not get lost. A standard procedure i.e. SOP will also be issued for conducting the journey.

In this meeting, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Additional Director General of Police Dr. V. Murugesan, Commissioner Garhwal Vinay Shankar Pandey and officials of all departments including Health, Police, Public Works, Drinking Water, Transport, Tourism, Electricity and ITDA were present.

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