Badrinath temple reopens

Badrinath Temple reopened on Thursday, April 23, at 6:15 a.m., bringing pilgrims back to the Vishnu shrine after its six-month winter closure. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) The temple in Chamoli district opened after Vedic rituals and prayers, and thousands of devotees gathered at the complex for the first darshan of the 2026 season. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Bharatiya Janata Party state president Mahendra Bhatt attended the ceremony. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) Reports from the reopening said the shrine was decorated with about 15 to 20 quintals of flowers. The ceremony also marked the point at which all four Char Dham shrines were open for the season. (livemint.com) (economictimes.indiatimes.com) Pilgrims now have to register before traveling. Uttarakhand’s official Tourist Care portal says Char Dham yatra registration is required before the journey begins, and visitors must also verify themselves when they reach each shrine. (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee says pilgrims visiting Badrinath and Kedarnath must complete required formalities before starting the yatra. The committee’s website also lists April 23, 2026, as the Badrinath opening date for this season. (badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in) Daily access now follows a fixed schedule once the opening-day rush eases. Mint reported Nirmalya Darshan from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., general darshan from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a ritual closure from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and evening darshan from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (livemint.com) This year’s pilgrimage rules are tighter than before. Uttarakhand officials said in January that mobile phones and cameras would be completely banned inside all four Char Dham temple premises, and at Badrinath no device would be allowed beyond Singh Dwar. (hindustantimes.com) Mint also reported a new entry rule at Badrinath: the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has made affidavits affirming faith in Sanatan Dharma compulsory for non-Hindu visitors. (livemint.com) For pilgrims, the reopening means the full Char Dham route is now active for 2026 — but with registration checks, device bans, and tighter entry controls built into the journey from the start. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in)