From Kedarnath to Auli, Dhanaulti to Mussoorie, the first snowfall of the season has occurred. Light snowfall started in the high altitude areas of the state from Sunday evening. The first snowfall of the season occurred on Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Harshil, Chopta, Tungnath, Suki Top, Auli and Mussoorie and other peaks.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated the Winter Char Dham Yatra. He emphasized the tourism boost and job creation that the yatra brings, while urging tourists to visit various sites in the region. Dhami inspected arrangements and promised better facilities. The event took place at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district, marking the temple as the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath. Know more about Char Dham Yatra.

A Green Cess fee, ranging from ?20 to ?80, will be imposed on both commercial and private vehicles. The charges are ?20 for three-wheelers, ?40 for four-wheelers, ?60 for medium vehicles, and ?80 for heavy vehicles. Additionally, provisions will be available for quarterly and annual passes to make payments more convenient.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will identify vehicles registered outside Uttarakhand. The cess amount will be deducted directly from the FASTag wallet of vehicle owners, with the system expected to be operational by the end of December.

Certain vehicles are exempted from the Green Cess, including two-wheelers, electric and CNG vehicles, those registered in Uttarakhand, and vehicles engaged in essential services such as ambulances and fire brigades.

The project aims to bridge infrastructure gaps, enhance the overall tourist experience, and stimulate economic growth by centralizing rafting operations and upgrading facilities. Currently, a systematic booking system for rafting adventures is lacking at popular starting points like Brahmapuri, Shivpuri, and Kaudiyala, as well as at ending points such as Neem Beach, Laxman Jhula, and Janki Jhula. The initiative seeks to address these shortcomings and streamline operations. Check Rafting in Rishikesh

The Uttarakhand government is launching an exclusive helicopter service for Same Day Adi Kailash and Om Parvat tours in Pithoragarh district. Set to begin on Dec15, this unique aerial darshan experience will be available at an effective cost of Rs 46,000 per person, with the government providing a subsidy of Rs 26,000 from the standard Rs 72,000 ticket price. An MoU for this initiative has been signed with Rudraksha Aviation Pvt Ltd, officials announced.

A 24-seater MI-17 helicopter will be used for the tour, though each sortie will carry only 18 passengers to ensure safety and comfort at the high altitudes of 16,000 to 17,000 feet. Each flight will last over two hours, departing from and returning to Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh.

This tent-based homestay initiative in Pithoragarh aligns with the Vibrant Villages Program, aimed at rejuvenating rural communities. It seeks to attract tourists and provide new economic opportunities, encouraging residents to return to these border areas. The project promotes sustainable tourism, blending environmental care with cultural immersion, to boost local economies in remote regions.

The Uttarakhand tourism department is planning to develop 52 historical forts in the Garhwal region as tourist destinations. These forts, which held significant roles as power centers up to the 14th century, now remain as ancient ruins. This initiative aims to preserve their heritage while creating new attractions for visitors.

Starting tomorrow, a helicopter service will connect Dehradun to Uttarkashi, enhancing accessibility for tourists and pilgrims visiting the region. This new service is expected to cut travel time significantly and provide a convenient option for visitors to reach popular destinations in Uttarkashi district.

The newly constructed Uttarakhand Niwas in Delhi is a state-of-the-art facility capturing the essence of Uttarakhand’s Pahari heritage and cultural vibrancy. Designed in traditional Pahari style, the building symbolizes the rich history, art, and craftsmanship of Uttarakhand. It provides Uttarakhand residents visiting the capital with a comfortable, familiar environment that feels like home. Beyond accommodation, Uttarakhand Niwas includes a dedicated counter for showcasing and selling local products, such as Shri Anna and organic goods, promoting the state’s agricultural and artisanal strengths.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized the building’s role as a “symbol of Uttarakhand pride,” bringing the state’s identity to the heart of the nation. The facility serves as an important touchpoint for Uttarakhand residents in Delhi, providing them with a sense of connection and belonging, while also introducing visitors to Uttarakhand’s unique cultural heritage.

Stats: This year more than 16 Lakh (1.6 million) pilgrims visited Kedarnath.

This year the park administration has earned more than 39 lakhs rupees. 19436 tourists came to the valley, including 330 foreign tourists. Next year, we may see rise in the number of tourists for Valley of Flowers.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani embarked on a spiritual journey to the revered Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams in Uttarakhand on Sunday, October 20. During his visit, the billionaire industrialist reportedly donated ?5 crore to support the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines.

This year, more than 1.8 Lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine of Hemkund. The closure ceremony began early Thursday in the presence of the president of Shri Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara Management Committee Narinderjit Singh Bindra along with the office bearers of the committee and administrative officials.

The second edition of Nakshatra Sabha, an Astro Tourism campaign organized by Starscapes in partnership with the Uttarakhand Tourism Board, took place in Jageshwar from October 4th to 6th. Building on the success of its debut event at George Everest in Mussoorie earlier this year, this edition drew astronomy enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and travelers from across India.

Starscapes, a leading astro-tourism company, has collaborated with Gul Panag Magucho for immersive astronomy experiences.

Upcoming Nakshatra Sabha events will take place in Jageshwar from October 4th to 6th, 2024, in the historic temple town, and in Benital from November 8th to 10th, 2024. Bookings will be available on Magucho platform.

According to the weather forecast, heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places and thundershowers at some places are expected in Nainital district on 13th September. Due to which, a one day holiday has been declared in all the government, semi-government and private schools (all educational institutions running from class 1 to 12) and all Anganwadi centres of the district.

Uttarakhand Tourism has launched a homestay booking portal, www.uttarastays.com, which enables guests to book homestays directly without fees or revenue sharing. The portal supports local hosts by providing registration, real-time feedback, and integration with government initiatives, including the Deendayal Upadhyay Homestay Scheme. CEO Sachin Kurve aims to onboard 5000 homestays and wellness centers, enhancing access to yoga, naturopathy, and Ayurvedic services for travelers.

The schedule of flights between Dehradun & Pithoragarh changes from today. Daily commercial flights from Pithoragarh started from 30 Jan 2024 with 18 seater plane operated by Flybig, flying from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun to land at Naini Saini Aiport in Pithoragarh.

Direct flight cost between Dehradun and Pithoragarh : Approx. INR 4198/- to 6300/- (one sided) For Adults. Flight is operational only on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has triggered landslides, leading to road blockages and significant disruptions. Villages have been cut off, highways blocked, and the pilgrimage to Adi Kailash has been suspended. One casualty has been reported in Chamoli district. Authorities are actively working to clear the blocked roads and manage the aftermath of these natural disasters.

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is set to commence on May 10, and even before its initiation, a record-breaking number of devotees have registered. According to the tourism department report, 494,129 registrations have been recorded for Kedarnath, 414,260 for Badrinath, 265,110 for Gangotri, 243,982 for Yamunotri, and 21,804 for Hemkund Sahib.

Helicopter Service to Adi Kailash has been started from Naini Saini Airport for same day Adi Kailash and Om Parvat darshan tour.

Adi Kailash Yatra by Helicopter Started - News

3 Night flights has started from Dehradun Airport to Ayodhya, Amritsar and Varanasi on 6 March. Details and timings of flights is given below.

Dehradun to Ayodhya Flight
On the inaugural day on Wednesday, a flight will take off from Dehradun at 9.40 am and reach Ayodhya at 11.30 am. The flight from Ayodhya will take off at 12.15 pm and reach the Uttarakhand capital at 1.55 pm.

Dehradun to Amritsar Flight
The Dehradun-Amritsar flight will take off from Amritsar at 12.00 pm and reach Dehradun at 1.10 pm. The flight to Amritsar will take off from Dehradun at 1.35 pm and reach the Punjab city at 2.45 pm.

Dehradun to Varanasi Flight
The flight from Dehradun to Varanasi will take off from the Uttarakhand capital at 9.50 am and reach Pantnagar at 10.35 am. The flight from Pantnagar will take off at 11.15 am and land in Varanasi at 1.00 pm. The return flight from Varanasi will take off at 1.40 pm and reach Pantnagar at 3.25 pm. It will begin its journey to Dehradun from Pantnagar at 3.50 pm and arrive at 4.35 pm.

Around 6 inch snowfall recorded in Harsil on 02 Mar 2024. There has been snowfall in Harsil along with Char Dham in Uttarakhand and other high altitude. Though the Badrinath temple is closed for winters, the opening date of Badrinath has been announced.

Under the UDAAN Scheme, Uttarakhand Government has started Helicopter Services from Haldwani to Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat from 22 Feb 2024. Heli Services from Haldwani will be available from Gaulapar Helipad to Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat.

A seven seater helicopter will operated by Air Heritage fly 2 times a day from Haldwani to each destination. The ticket price for helicopter service from Haldwani will be INR 2500 per person for Champawat, INR 3000 for Pithoragarh and INR 3500 for Munsiyari. 

Helicopter Services between Haldwani and Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat

Hemkund Sahib Opening and Closing Dates has been annouced for 2024. Hemkund Sahib will open on 25 May 2024 and closed on 10 Oct 2024.

Hemkund Sahib Opening and Closing Dates 2024 - Press Release

Snowfall was reported on Monday in regions such as Kedarnath Dham, including Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Chandrashila, etc. Additionally, light snowfall was observed in tourist spots like Chopta, Dugalbitta and in Deoriatal. 

The phenomenon extended to Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, Harshil Valley, and other high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi. Despite the snowfall, road movements remained unaffected at present.

There is a chance of light snowfall in elevated areas of the state, surpassing an altitude of 2500 meters. According to the weather forecast released by the Centre, a yellow alert has been issued for adverse weather conditions in Dehradun, including Tehri, Pauri, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haridwar districts tomorrow, i.e., on 21 February 2024.

In a first of its kind initiative, the government of Uttarakhand is set to refurbish six houses located in Jadung Village, into homestays, which would be operated/run by villagers. Under the Vibrant Village Programme, the houses will be refurbished in vernacular architecture using locally available material.

In 2023, Badrinath witnessed its highest-ever pilgrim footfall, with a record-breaking 18.4 lakh devotees making their way to Badrinath Dham. During the last six months of the yatra season, the Badri Kedar Temple Committee generated a revenue of Rs 70 crore. This surge in pilgrim numbers marks the highest recorded footfall to date.

On Wednesday, President Draupadi Murmu made a visit to the Badrinath shrine, marking the second day of her three-day trip to Uttarakhand.

Welcomed at the Army helipad in Badrinath, the president was greeted by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other senior government officials. Engaging in prayers for approximately 25 minutes, she conducted a pooja ritual within the temple premises, as reported by district officials.

All temples governed by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, will observe closure at 4 pm on Saturday due to the lunar eclipse.

The Badrinath and Kedarnath temples are scheduled to reopen during the brahma muhurta after the morning purification puja on Sunday.

Other affiliated shrines affected by the closure include the Shri Narasingh Temple in Joshimath, Second Kedar Madmaheshwar, Third Kedar Tungnath, Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and Yoga Badri.

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, visited Uttarakhand with his family and participated in prayers at the Badrinath Dham. In addition to his visit, Mukesh Ambani made a generous donation of Rs 5 crore to the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Check more details.