About 60 lakh pilgrims had made the Char Dham Yatra in 2026 by late October, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on 23 October 2026, as reported by ANI and DD India. “So far, 60 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the Char Dham Yatra, and the pilgrimage is still ongoing,” he said, adding that the season had broken all previous records. The 2026 yatra began on 19 April with Gangotri and Yamunotri and ends on 16 November when Badrinath closes.
How the numbers grew
| Date | Reported total (all four dhams) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7 October 2026 | More than 56.18 lakh | State government statement, reported by UNI |
| 23 October 2026 | About 60 lakh | CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, reported by ANI / DD India |
| Full 2025 season, for comparison | More than 50 lakh | News On AIR at Badrinath closing, 25 Nov 2025 |
The Chief Minister said numbers rose in both the early phase (April–June) and the post-monsoon phase (September–October). Separate figures for each dham for 2026 were not given in these reports. For reference, Kedarnath alone recorded 17,68,795 pilgrims in 2025, according to ETV Bharat at that year’s closing. The final 2026 figure will only be known after Badrinath closes on 16 November.
What it means for yatris
- Expect crowds again in 2027: a season of this size means long queues at Kedarnath and Badrinath in May and June, full hotels near the temples and heavy traffic on weekends. Book stays and helicopter seats (through official channels only) as soon as the 2027 dates are announced.
- Registration matters more: the state uses its online registration to spread out the rush. Register on the official Uttarakhand Tourism registration portal or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, and carry the letter.
- Consider quieter windows: mid-September to October, after the monsoon, usually brings clearer skies and fewer people than the opening weeks. Our best time for Char Dham guide explains the trade-offs.
- Seniors: bigger crowds mean longer waits on foot. Plan rest days and read our Char Dham guide for senior citizens.
Plan with us
We are based in Dehradun and plan yatras that avoid the worst crush where the calendar allows. See our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar or, if time is short, the Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter from Dehradun. To start planning for 2027, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
