Big news for devotees! Shri Kedarnath Dham will officially reopen on May 2, and Shri Badrinath Dham will welcome pilgrims starting May 4, according to the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). This announcement delights many nationwide, and soon, crowds will gather in large numbers for the Yatra in the area. These crowds oftentimes cause chaos, which worries the devotees who are eager to visit. In 2025, many people seek to take a chopper to embark on this holy journey.
An advance team from BKTC has already arrived in Kedarnath to prepare for the grand reopening. The committee also works closely with local priests and communities to ensure a smooth process. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently confirmed the government’s full commitment to pilgrim safety. “Char Dham Yatra is the lifeline of our state’s economy,” he said, highlighting that all preparations are in full swing.
Important dates:
Shri Madmaheshwar Temple (Second Kedar): Opens on May 21
Shri Tungnath Temple (Third Kedar): Opens on May 2
On Tuesday, BKTC CEO Vijay Prasad Thapliyal proactively inspected key temple sites and rest houses to ensure everything was ready for the season. Important sites include Maa Bthe arahi Temple, Sansari, Masta Narayan Koti, Shri the Triyuginarayan Temple, Gaurathe maata Temple, Gaurikund, the Temple Committee Rest House at Son Prayag, and Sanskthe rit College at Shonitpur (Guptkashi).
What is the Char Dham Yatra?
One of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimages, the Char Dham Yatra, includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The journey is traditionally undertaken in a clockwise direction.
In Hindi, 'char' means four, and 'dham' refers to religious destinations.
Therefore, the voyage starts at Yamunotri, proceeds to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath, and finally concludes at Badrinath.
Whether by road, on foot, or via helicopter, thousands of devotees make this spiritual journey every year. Some opt for the Do Dham Yatra, visiting only Kedarnath and Badrinath. The countdown to the Yatra has begun—and for many, it’s more than just a journey. It’s a call to the soul.
How to take the Kedarnath Yatra via helicopter?
Helicopter services at Kedarnath Yatra have become more convenient in 2025, all thanks to our very own Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). To book your ticket, all you need to do is complete a simple registration process. Here’s the full breakdown of the steps
1. Visit the official Uttarakhand tourism website - registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
2. Create an account if you are a new user
3. Provide your journey information, which includes duration, number of travelers, and travel date.
4. Once done, you will need to download the Yatra registration letter.
Note: The Yatra registration letter is quintessential to booking your tickets on the Heli Yatra portal.
Booking a helicopter ticket online
This process is also much simpler and doesn't take much of your time to complete. Here’s what you need to do.
- Register on the Heli Yatra portal, use your mobile number and email address.
- Verify the OTP.
- Log in and enter their Yatra registration number.
- Select your travel dates, preferred time slots, and the number of passengers.
- Complete the payment (the price list is just below).
Kindly note that each user can book up to two tickets, and each ticket can house up to six passengers.
Prices and chopper departure Points
It is important to note that the helicopter shuttle services for Kedarnath will maneuver from three locations:
- For a round trip to Phata: Rs 6,063
- For a round trip to Sirsi: ₹6,061
- For a round trip to Guptkashi: ₹8,533