Kedarnath Temple ‘Kapaat’ to open today:Uttarakhand govt expects Char Dham Yatra to generate handsome revenue, higher footfall than last year

The ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is expected to generate substantial revenue for the state of Uttarakhand in 2026. This year, heavy footfall is expected to be seen. The holy yatra, which officially began on Akshaya Tritiya (19 April, 2026) can attract more devotees than last year, according to the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. So far, 20 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Char Dham Yatra. Last year over 51 lakh registrations were made. We can expect higher figures this time. – Rohini, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board This revenue would come from various sources including ticket sales, transportation, accommodation, horse-mules business, and sale of goods and services.
Revenue sources breakdown: Besides ticket sales, revenue is expected to be generated from following sources: Transportation: Helicopter services, horse-mules, and other modes of transportation. Accommodation: Hotels, guest houses, and other lodging options are expected to see increased business during the yatra season. Goods and Services: Local businesses that provide food, souvenirs, and other services to pilgrims. The successful yatra boosts the state’s economy, benefits various stakeholders, including the government, temple trusts, and local businesses. Char Dham Yatra’s share in Uttarakhand’s total revenue: According to a joint study by two colleges in West Bengal, on an average, the Char Dham Yatra constitutes 40% of the total yearly revenue generated by the Uttarakhand government. This revenue is a substantial boost to the state’s economy, especially for businesses directly involved in serving pilgrims. Pilgrims are the key to financial resources as well as job opportunities. The yatra involves visits to four holy sites: On Wednesday, 22 April, the sacred Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand would open its doors to devotees. The Char Dham Yatra commenced on 19 April (Akshaya Tritiya), with the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri already opened. Badrinath Dham ‘Kapaat’ will open on 23 April. While, ‘Hemkund Sahib’ doors woould open on 23 May.