The Char Dham Yatra 2025, one of Uttarakhand’s most revered pilgrimages, took a significant step forward on Saturday as helicopter services for Kedarnath and Badrinath began operating from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport.
This sacred journey encompasses four holy shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—located in the majestic Himalayan heights, drawing thousands of pilgrims every year.
The gates to Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams officially opened on April 30, marking the start of the Char Dham Yatra on Akshaya Tritiya. Following this, the grand opening of Baba Kedarnath’s doors took place on Friday amidst religious fervor, with Vedic chants and spiritual rituals adding to the sacred atmosphere. The event attracted a massive crowd of devotees.
On May 4, the gates of Badrinath Dham in Chamoli are set to open, welcoming pilgrims to another sacred site.
To make the journey more convenient, devotees now have the option to travel by helicopter. These air services offer a faster and more practical route to the shrines, allowing visitors to complete their pilgrimage to both Kedarnath and Badrinath in a single day. A three-day package, which includes all amenities, is priced at Rs 1.45 lakh, while the one-day Do Dham Yatra service costs Rs 1.25 lakh per person.
The helicopter service follows a fixed route, taking pilgrims to Kedarnath first, then to Badrinath. Last year, around 3,000 devotees used this service, which was priced at Rs 1.11 lakh. This year, the pilgrimage will be carried out using MI-17 helicopters, which can accommodate up to 20 passengers at once.
In addition, the Uttarakhand government has made it mandatory for pilgrims to register for the Char Dham Yatra. Registration can be done either through the official website (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or via the TouristCareUttarakhand mobile app. Offline registration has also been available since April 28, with services offered at key locations such as Haridwar and Rishikesh.
