Chardham Yatra Offline Registration Counters 2026 — All Locations, Timings & Tips

📍  All 9 Counter Locations at a Glance

Haridwar (Rahi Hotel) · Rishikesh ISBT · Rishikesh RTO · Rishikesh GurudwaraBarkot (Yamunotri) · Hina / Uttarkashi (Gangotri) · Sonprayag (Kedarnath) · Pandukeshwar (Badrinath) · Govind Ghat (Hemkunt Sahib)

Online registration is faster, free of queues, and available from your sofa. Offline registration counters exist for the pilgrims for whom that sentence is not realistic — those without reliable internet, those registering on the same day they are travelling, and those who discovered a registration problem only after leaving home.

The Uttarakhand government operates nine offline counters spread across two gateway cities and four dham-approach checkpoints. Each counter handles registration, document verification, and yatra parchi printing on the spot. In some locations — particularly Sonprayag for Kedarnath and Hina for Gangotri — the counter also functions as the mandatory entry checkpoint, meaning unregistered pilgrims are physically stopped here and must register before proceeding.

This page maps every counter, its exact location, its opening time, and the strategic advice for using it effectively.

Complete Counter Directory — All 9 Locations

Gateway City Counters — Haridwar and Rishikesh

Haridwar — Rahi Tourist Bungalow

The Haridwar counter, located at the UPTDC Rahi Tourist Bungalow near the main highway approach, is the first counter most pilgrims can reach from the plains. It handles registration for all four dhams and is the recommended offline option for pilgrims who prefer to complete registration before entering the hills. The counter opens at 6 AM and typically sees its longest queues between 8 AM and noon — pilgrims departing early by overnight bus or train who arrive at Haridwar early morning should arrive at the counter before 7:30 AM.

Rishikesh — Three Separate Counter Locations

Rishikesh has three offline counters serving different entry points to the city. The ISBT counter at the main inter-state bus terminus is the highest-traffic option and the most accessible for pilgrims arriving by bus from Delhi, Lucknow, or other major cities. The RTO counter at the Regional Transport Office handles a lower volume and opens later at 9 AM. The Gurudwara counter is less well-known — it opens at 6 AM and serves pilgrims staying in the Laxman Jhula and Tapovan areas. All three counters register for all four dhams.

During the peak weeks of May, the ISBT counter queue can stretch to 60 minutes or more. Arriving before 7 AM gives most pilgrims a 10 to 15 minute wait at maximum.

Route Checkpoint Counters — At the Base of Each Dham

Barkot — Yamunotri Route

Barkot is the last major town before the Yamunotri approach and the primary staging base for the Yamunotri trek. The counter here handles Yamunotri-specific registration and is the last opportunity to register before reaching Janki Chatti, the trek starting point. It opens at 6 AM and queue times are generally moderate — rarely exceeding 30 minutes except on Akshaya Tritiya opening day.

Hina (Uttarkashi District) — Gangotri Route

The Hina checkpoint sits approximately 26 kilometres before Gangotri town on NH 108. It functions as both an offline registration counter and a mandatory entry gate — unregistered vehicles and pilgrims are stopped here before the road narrows for the final approach to Gangotri. Pilgrims who have not registered online and reach Hina without a yatra parchi must register here before continuing. The counter opens at 6 AM and queue times can be significant on Akshaya Tritiya weekend.

Sonprayag — Kedarnath Route

The Sonprayag counter is arguably the most important offline counter on the entire Chardham route — it sits at the barrier that controls entry to the restricted Kedarnath zone. Every pilgrim heading to Kedarnath must pass this point, and those without a valid yatra registration are turned back here.

The counter opens at 5:30 AM — half an hour earlier than any other location — because the Kedarnath trek is time-sensitive. Pilgrims need to begin at Gaurikund before 7 AM to reach Kedarnath in daylight. During peak May weeks, the queue at Sonprayag counter begins forming at 4:30 AM. Unregistered pilgrims who arrive at 8 AM may find themselves in a 90-minute queue, missing their morning trek window.

⚠  Sonprayag Is Your Last Resort — Not Your Plan

If you are heading to Kedarnath, do not plan to register at Sonprayag. Register online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before leaving home. The Sonprayag counter exists for genuine last-resort cases — a phone that died, a registration that failed to submit, a pilgrim joining unexpectedly. Relying on it during peak season as your primary plan introduces real risk of missing your trek day.

Pandukeshwar — Badrinath Route

The Pandukeshwar counter is located approximately 24 kilometres before the Badrinath temple, where the road narrows significantly. It functions as both counter and checkpoint. Badrinath is accessible by road and the approach is less physically demanding than Kedarnath, so Pandukeshwar counter queues are generally shorter — 15 to 30 minutes during peak season, often shorter in September and October.

Govind Ghat — Hemkunt Sahib

The Govind Ghat counter covers Hemkunt Sahib, the Sikh shrine in the Valley of Flowers region that many Chardham pilgrims combine with their Badrinath visit. It is not technically a Chardham shrine but is part of the same registration system. Pilgrims combining Hemkunt Sahib with Badrinath should register for both at the portal or at the Govind Ghat counter.

What to Carry to an Offline Counter

• Original government ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, or Driving Licence).
• Mobile number that will be linked to your registration — the counter staff will send your OTP to this number.
• Travel dates for each dham you plan to visit.
• For groups: the above information for every pilgrim in the group.
• If applicable: passport for foreign national pilgrims and OCI/PIO card for overseas Indian pilgrims.

Register Before You Travel — Counter as Backup, Portal as Plan

The offline counters are an essential part of the registration infrastructure for pilgrims who cannot access online channels. But they are most valuable as a last resort, not a first plan. Online registration at the portal or via WhatsApp before leaving home eliminates queue time, guarantees your date selection before peak demand, and removes the risk of a counter queue costing you your morning trek window at Gaurikund.

For online registration steps, WhatsApp registration, and how to download your yatra parchi, see the related guides at kedarnath tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I register at an offline counter for a dham I am not visiting for several more days?

A: Yes. Offline counters register for all four dhams regardless of which dham their location serves. You can register for all four dhams at the Haridwar counter on Day 1 of your journey, even if you won’t reach Kedarnath until Day 8.

Q: Is there a fee at offline counters?

A: No. Chardham Yatra registration is free at every counter. Any counter staff member asking for a fee is acting outside official guidelines — report it to the counter supervisor or to the helpdesk via the portal.

Q: Can I modify a registration made at an offline counter?

A: Yes, through the portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in using the mobile number registered at the counter. If you cannot access the portal, any offline counter can assist with modifications.