During the initial week of the Char Dham Tour , which commenced on April 30, 2025, there was a significant decline in the number of pilgrims, with a 26% decrease observed compared to the same period in the previous year. As of May 7, around 2.9 lakh devotees had made their way to the four sacred shrines - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri, illustrating a drop of nearly 1 lakh from the 3.9 lakh recorded in 2024. Officials credit this decrease not to a lack of interest but to more efficient management, including staggered registrations and structured scheduling designed to prevent overcrowding.
The Uttarakhand government had launched online registration as early as March 20, nearly 40 days before the pilgrimage began, while offline registration was delayed to just days before the yatra’s commencement. Measures such as mandatory Aadhaar verification and thorough document checks were introduced to enhance security and ensure a smoother flow of pilgrims. Additional booking counters were also set up to facilitate the process.
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj highlighted that lessons from last year prompted several proactive steps, which have helped ease congestion and improve the pilgrim experience. Meanwhile, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of the SDC Foundation, noted that the decline in numbers also reflects the staggered opening of the temples. Unlike 2024, when most shrines opened around mid-May, this year saw Yamunotri and Gangotri open on April 30, Kedarnath on May 2, and Badrinath on May 4, leading to a more gradual and dispersed influx of devotees.
Despite the slower start, interest remains high, with over 25 lakh pilgrims registered so far - 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri. Authorities anticipate a surge in participation later in May, coinciding with summer holidays. Experts urge that the yatra be managed not just as a tourist attraction but as a spiritually significant and ecologically sensitive event, requiring ongoing vigilance and thoughtful planning.
IMD Issues Rain Alert for Char Dham Pilgrims from May 5
As the Char Dham Yatra for 2025 kicks off, severe weather conditions have emerged as a significant hurdle for pilgrims. With daytime temperatures in Chamoli plummeting to -10°C, devotees are braving biting cold and unpredictable conditions along the route to the revered shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, each nestled at altitudes above 3,000 metres in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of weather warnings, including an orange alert for heavy rainfall, storms, and hail across multiple districts starting May 5. A red alert has been sounded for May 7 and 8, indicating the likelihood of severe weather, including darkness due to cloud cover and intense downpours.
Given the harsh terrain and rapidly changing mountain weather, officials urge pilgrims to prepare thoroughly before embarking on the journey. The path of devotion this year demands not only faith but also heightened caution and readiness to face nature’s challenges.