Amid chants of ‘Jai Baba Kedar’ echoing through the Himalayan valley, the sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were opened to devotees on Friday morning at 7 a.m., officially marking the commencement of the 2025 Char Dham Yatra season.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present for the ceremonial opening and offered prayers at the temple. An Indian Army band added a devotional touch to the event, performing spiritual hymns as a floral shower from a helicopter welcomed the first batch of pilgrims. The atmosphere was steeped in spirituality, with thousands of devotees gathered in reverence.
A day prior, on May 1, the Panchmukhi Doli — the symbolic five-faced idol of Lord Kedarnath — reached the temple from Gaurikund after a ritualistic procession. The journey, steeped in centuries-old tradition, witnessed devotees lining the mountainous path, chanting and offering prayers as the idol made its way to the shrine. 
Chief Minister Dhami shared on social media that the divine procession was filled with “reverence, faith, and devotion,” describing the collective energy as truly spiritual when the Doli entered the temple complex.
How to do Registration For Kedarnath Yatra
With the gates now open, pilgrims looking to undertake the Kedarnath Yatra must first complete the mandatory online registration via the official Tourist Care Uttarakhand platform, accessible through both the website and mobile app.
The registration involves a 3-step process:
- Online Signup & Application – Create an account or log in, then fill in essential details such as name, age, ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or passport), travel dates, and upload a passport-sized photograph.
- QR Code Generation – After successful application, an E-pass with a unique QR code will be generated, which serves as the yatra permit.
- Verification at the Shrine – Final verification takes place at Kedarnath, where pilgrims must show the QR code and identification documents to proceed with the darshan.
This registration system ensures regulated crowd management and safety during the high-altitude yatra.
What to Pack for the Kedarnath Trek
Given Kedarnath’s remote location at over 11,000 feet, pilgrims are advised to pack wisely:
- Warm layered clothing (temperatures can drop drastically)
- Rain gear and waterproof shoes
- Personal medications and altitude sickness tablets
- Government-issued ID copies
- Snacks, water bottles, and glucose supplements
Proper physical preparation is also recommended, as the trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is roughly 16 kilometers of steep terrain.
READ MORE: Planning to Visit Kedarnath This Year? Here’s Your Complete Guide
