Dehradun: The overwhelming enthusiasm of devotees suggests that the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2025 is set to surpass all previous records. Helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, open for the period up to 31 May, were completely filled within just a few hours of the booking window opening, highlighting the soaring demand for the pilgrimage.
Bookings for the first phase began yesterday and by the end of the day, over 23,000 tickets had been reserved. All slots for the month of May have now been fully booked, leaving devotees to seek availability in June and beyond.
The portals of Kedarnath Dham will open on 2 May, marking the start of helicopter services from the Guptkashi, Sirsi and Phata helipads. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) had opened bookings for the May Yatra period only, but the slots were quickly exhausted, leading to both excitement and disappointment among eager pilgrims.
While the rapid bookings reflect high interest, they’ve also raised concerns about the authenticity of some reservations and the possibility of insider involvement. However, officials have clarified that only devotees who complete the mandatory Yatra registration are eligible to book heli services, which minimizes the scope for irregularities.
Helicopter tickets can only be booked through the official portal: heliyatra.irctc.co.in. UCADA CEO Sonika Singh confirmed the unprecedented demand and revealed that plans are in motion to expand flight operations. This year, nine helicopter operators are servicing the Kedarnath route.
The state government and Yatra authorities have reiterated that heliyatra.irctc.co.in is the only legitimate platform for heli bookings. In case of suspected fraud, devotees can report incidents or seek help via the official cybercrime helpline – 1930.
As Kedarnath gears up for a record-breaking Yatra season, officials continue working to enhance infrastructure and ensure a smooth, secure pilgrimage experience for all.
