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CHAR DHAM NEWS

Char Dham non-Hindus entry: The Badrinath temple (left) and the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand.

Explained: Proposal to ban non-Hindus from entering Char Dham, amid questions of legality

February 02, 2026 1:16 pm

Proponents have held up the right to freedom of religion as the basis for the ban, but it may face challenges.

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee president, Hemant Dwivedi, said a decision will be passed at the upcoming board meeting.

Badrinath-Kedarnath may ban non-Hindus from entering temples. Not everyone’s on board

January 27, 2026 6:47 am

Committee president says decision in upcoming board meeting, but office bearer tells Express his comments made without consulting others.

Collective to appeal against SC’s 2021 Char Dham verdict

November 27, 2025 3:51 am

The 2021 judgment had upheld double-laned road works on certain stretches of the project tagged as ‘strategic roads’.

Char Dham sees surge rise in visitors as preparations start for winter pilgrimage

Char Dham sees surge in visitors as preparations start for winter pilgrimage

November 26, 2025 8:26 am

51 lakh devotees visited the Char Dham this year, a rise of 4.35 lakh from last year.

The Chota Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand concludes for winter as Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri close, with over 17.6 lakh devotees visiting this year.

Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri close for winter as Char Dham season winds down

October 24, 2025 7:46 am

As per the government, 17.68 lakh devotees visited the Kedarnath shrine this year, up by about 1.25 lakh as compared to 2024.

Joshi and Singh said that a 2020 circular of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which allowed the widening, should be quashed and an intermediate road width of 5.5 metres should be adopted as discussed previously.

‘Review and recall’ judgment on Char Dham project, BJP veteran M M Joshi, Karan Singh appeal to CJI

September 26, 2025 8:16 pm

The plea endorsed by 57 people, including historian Shekhar Pathak and author Ramachandra Guha, stated that road widening in the sensitive zone in Uttarakhand has made it more disaster-prone.

Yavatmal family's Char Dham dream ends, leaving 6-yr-old behind

June 16, 2025 1:27 am

Local residents in Vani described the Jaiswals as a “devout and deeply spiritual family,” known for their involvement in religious and social activities, while also running a successful retail business.

Govt issues alert about online frauds targeting pilgrims, tourists

April 19, 2025 1:18 pm

Cybercrime hotspots are being identified and states and Union territories from where these originate are being sensitised.

What is the winter Char Dham? Why is the Uttarakhand government promoting it?

January 07, 2025 6:30 pm

By pushing the winter Char Dham, the Uttarakhand government hopes to increase tourist footfall in the state during the traditionally off-season months

Chardham road project, supreme Court, SC panel on Chardham project, Gangotri route, BORDER Roads Organisation, Uttarakhand forest dept, Gangotri-Dharasu route, environment impact assessment, EIA study, environmental clearance, Indian express news

Chardham road project: SC panel stressed on environmental study for Gangotri route, BRO says not needed

August 26, 2024 7:27 am

The BRO is currently seeking clearance for 17.5 hectares of forest land for the Netala bypass project on the Gangotri-Dharasu stretch, which was earlier rejected by the high powered committee.