Non-Hindus banned from entering Uttarakhand temples ahead of Char Dham
Just before the 2026 Char Dham Yatra, 47 major temples in Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath, have banned non-Hindus from entering.
This move comes from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which cites long-standing tradition as the basis for the decision.
The Gangotri Temple Committee has also put similar restrictions in place.
Online registration mandatory for all pilgrims
The committees say the bans are intended to preserve religious tradition and sanctity; separate measures, such as compulsory online registration, have been introduced to manage pilgrim numbers, but they also mean non-Hindu visitors and service providers will be affected.
With online registrations now mandatory for all pilgrims, already mandatory as of March 2026 (portal launched in March 2026), the whole process is getting stricter and more streamlined, so if you're planning a trip, make sure you check the new rules first.