Kedarnath is one of the oldest and holiest pilgrim sites for Hindu devotees. Situated in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,584 metres in the Rudraprayag district of Uttrakhand, it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, as per Hindu mythology. Kedarnath Yatra is also considered one of the most challenging treks of the Char Dhams in Uttarakhand.
However, there are millions of devotees who visit Kedarnath in a year. This is why the state government of Uttrakhand has now made it necessary for devotees or travellers to register themselves for the Kedarnath yatra to ensure that the authorities are able to manage the crowd, provide essential resources, and keep visitors safe. Keep reading further if you want to know how to do registration for Kedarnath Yatra and what are the comprehensive guidelines for its registration process.
Millions of devotees of Lord Shiva travel to the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand every year. However, the journey comes with the responsibility of resources and the safety of the devotees to the authorities. To fulfil such huge responsibilities, the state government of Uttarakhand has mandated Kedarnath Yatra registration to streamline the journey and its experience. To understand how to register for the Kedarnath Yatra, you must plan efficiently for a seamless journey experience.
Kedarnath Yatra Registration
The journey to Kedarnath Temple is an 18-kilometre hike from Gaurikund, Uttrakhand. Although the temple stays closed for six months in a year due to heavy snowfall in winter, millions of devotees visit it every year. The opening and closing ceremonies are celebrated as a grand and auspicious occasion or festival at the temple.
The Omkareshwar priests have calculated and announced the opening ceremony of the temple at Akshay Tritya (May 10, 2024) this year. The temple priests will open the gates of the Kedarnath temple for devotees to have a darshan from 6:20 a.m.
However, to ensure safety at the pilgrimage, manage the crowd, and manage resources effectively, the state government has now made the Kedarnath yatra registration mandatory. The registration process for darshan can be done through an online portal or offline registration centres by providing the required documents and minimal fees as per the category. Don't forget to take appropriate domestic insurance when travelling to Kedarnath, too! Policies such as Generali Central's Shubh Yatra domestic travel insurance plan can protect you during unforeseen emergencies.
Types of registration
Kedarnath registration can be done through an online registration portal of Uttarakhand tourism or offline registration facilities. There are mainly two types of Kedarnath darshan registration:
1. Individual registration: Individuals can register for the Kedarnath Yatra through online portals or offline registration centres at minimal registration fees per category (senior citizens, children, special categories, etc.).
2. Group registration: Groups visiting Kedarnath Temple can also register through an online registration portal or offline centres by providing required documents like IDs, emergency contacts, fees, etc.
Documents required for Kedarnath Yatra registration
The primary documents required for the Kedarnath registration are:
- Valid ID proof like a voter ID, passport, etc.
- Passport-size photos
- Contact details
- Emergency contact information.
The step-by-step process of online registration for the Kedarnath Yatra
The Kedarnath registration process is easy and user-friendly. The following steps are included in it:
1. Visit the web portal of Uttarakhand Tourism Care at https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/.
2. Click on the 'Register' button at the top right corner.
3. Enter your name, mobile number, identity, individual or family, etc., to register.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number to sign up.
5. After verifying the mobile number, you will receive the login details for your Uttarakhand Tourism Care account, which you can use to log in in the future.
6. You can now register for the Kedarnath Yatra by entering the tour information, such as name, number of people, tour guide, slot, date, destination, etc.
7. Then, you will be asked for your details, such as name, number, age, gender, email ID, country, address, mode of travel, emergency contact number, etc.
8. Next, you must upload your passport-size photograph and identity proof to the online portal.
9. Once you have submitted everything required, your registration process will be completed with a confirmation mail or message containing information about a successful Kedarnath yatra registration.
The step-by-step offline registration process for the Kedarnath Yatra
Several Yatra registration centres are open in Uttarakhand for offline Kedarnath Darshan registration. The offline locations for registrations include:
- Haridwar Railway Station,
- Haridwar Rahi Hotel,
- Rishikesh roadway bus stand,
- Rishikesh Hemkund Gurudwara,
- Guptkashi Bus Stand,
- Gaurikund,
- Sonprayag,
- Kedarnath, etc.
The customer support team available at the offline registration centres will help visitors understand how to register for the Kedarnath Yatra. The step-by-step process of offline registration for the Kedarnath Yatra includes:
- Visiting any Kedarnath darshan registration centre.
- Filling out the registration form provided with accurate details.
- Submitting the form along with all the required documents, information, and registration fees at the centre.
After the centre verifies your registration, you will receive a registration confirmation slip with a unique registration ID for your visit to Kedarnath.
The Uttarakhand State Government has mandated Kedarnath darshan registration to ensure a safe and seamless travel experience to the Kedarnath temple. This blog provides comprehensive information on the registration process, including online and offline registration processes, documents required, step-by-step guidelines, etc. You can choose an individual or group Kedarnath registration process, ensuring a safe and harmonious pilgrimage to the Kedarnath temple. This article serves as a guideline for devotees by providing them with detailed information about Kedarnath Yatra.