Dehradun: Preparations for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 are in full swing across Uttarakhand. The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC), which manages the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, has announced changes in puja arrangements and fees.
This year, puja charges have been increased by 5–10 percent, and a new mega special puja package worth Rs11 lakh has been introduced.
The sacred pilgrimage begins soon. The doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri will open on April 19, Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath will open on April 22, followed by Badrinath on April 23 at 6:15 am. Thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the yatra.
BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi explained that pujas are performed at all temple committee establishments, and fees have been raised slightly to meet expenses. The temple committee’s main source of income is donations and puja fees, which are used to maintain shrines and manage pilgrim facilities.
For the first time, a mega puja module has been introduced at Kedarnath. This package, costing around Rs11 lakh, will cover all major rituals in a single arrangement. Dwivedi said this was designed for industrialists, philanthropists, and devotees who wish to perform multiple pujas but previously had to book them separately.
The pujas will be conducted at night when crowds are smaller, allowing devotees a more peaceful and personal experience.
Dwivedi compared the new package to the Udayasthanam Seva at Tirupati Balaji, where devotees pay around Rs 1.5 crore for a day-long ritual covering all major pujas. Similar models also exist at Vaishno Devi, Kashi Vishwanath, and Mahakaleshwar temples.
– Special Rudrabhishek and VIP Aarti at Kashi Vishwanath: Rs 5,000–Rs 50,000
– Mahabhishek and special puja at Kedarnath: Rs 4,500–Rs 15,000
– Mahabhishek and Geet Govind Seva at Badrinath: Rs 3,000–Rs 6,000
– VIP Aarti at Vaishno Devi: Rs 1,500–Rs 20,000
– Bhasma Aarti and Rudrabhishek at Mahakaleshwar: Rs 200–Rs 10,000
The new arrangements aim to simplify the process for devotees, offering them complete puja experiences in one package. For ordinary pilgrims, regular pujas remain available at affordable rates, while special packages cater to those seeking elaborate rituals.
With the Char Dham Yatra about to begin, the temple committee’s changes reflect both tradition and modern management. The introduction of the Rs11 lakh puja package highlights the growing demand for comprehensive spiritual experiences, while the fee hike ensures better facilities for all devotees.
