Pilgrimage News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Gujarat: Over 66,000 devotees taken on pilgrimage in the last 3 years, at a cost of over Rs 9.86 Crore
Gandhinagar, April 20: The Gujarat government has supported over 66,000 devotees on pilgrimages since 2022 under schemes such as Shravan Tirth Darshan and Sindhu Darshan, according to an official statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Char Dham Yatra: NHM to have medical relief posts, Swasthya Mitras on route
New Delhi, April 20: As the sacred Char Dham Yatra is set to commence from April 30, the National Health Mission (NHM) has intensified preparations to ensure the health and safety of lakhs of pilgrims expected to visit the holy shrines in Uttarakhand.
I4C issues nationwide alert on surge in online booking scams targeting pilgrims, tourists
New Delhi, April 19: In a nationwide alert, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Saturday warned the public about a sharp rise in online booking frauds, particularly those preying on religious pilgrims and unsuspecting tourists.
Centre issues alert about online booking scams impersonating pilgrim services
New Delhi, April 19: The Centre on Saturday alerted the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting pilgrims and tourists across the country.
Kedarnath Dham to reopen on May 2
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), April 19: The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will officially reopen on May 2 while that of Shri Badrinath Dham will open on May 4, a spokesperson from the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) said.
Preparatory meeting held in Bhubaneswar for smooth conduct of Ratha Yatra-2025
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Friday chaired a high-level preparatory meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan to ensure that this year's world-renowned Ratha Yatra at Puri is conducted in a peaceful and well-coordinated manner.
Kedarnath Dham to reopen on May 2, Badrinath on May 4: Temple Committee
Rudraprayag, April 19: The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will officially reopen on May 2, a spokesperson from the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) said on Friday.
Uttarakhand: Preparations in full swing for Char Dham Yatra 2025, says Minister Satpal Maharaj
Dehradun, April 18: Uttarakhand Minister Satpal Maharaj stated on Friday that the state is fully prepared for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra.
Actor Karthi heads to Sabarimala to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa
Chennai, April 17: Actor Karthi, whose upcoming film ‘Sardar 2’ is on the verge of completion, has undertaken a holy pilgrimage to the world famous Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will happen this year, we are making preparations: MEA
New Delhi, April 17: India and China are set to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, after a pause since 2020.
UP govt to transform Naimisharanya into Vedic city, boost connectivity via heli service
Lucknow, April 17: The Uttar Pradesh government is developing Naimisharanya in Sitapur district on the lines of Ayodhya, an official statement said on Thursday.
Don't play politics on Hajj issue: Kiren Rijiju's appeal to Oppn, sheds light on Saudi's 'special gesture'
New Delhi, April 17: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday asked the Opposition to refrain from playing politics on the religious Hajj issue and gave an account of how Saudi Arabia made special arrangements to accommodate India's requests on opening a special window for the pilgrims.
Char Dham Yatra 2025: Over 17.76 lakh pilgrims register
Dehradun, April 16: Char Dham Yatra 2025, set to begin on April 30 with Akshaya Tritiya, has seen over 17 lakhs devotees register to take part in the yatra, according to the Uttarakhand government.
TN CM writes to PM Modi regarding cancellation of private Haj quota, urges to take matter with authorities of Saudi Arabia
Chennai, April 16: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the sudden cancellation of the Private Haj quota, urging him to take the matter up with the authorities in Saudi Arabia and seek an expeditious remedy.
Gates of Badrinath, Kedarnath temples to open on May 4 and 2
Dehradun, April 15: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has begun preparations for the upcoming Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Dham Yatra. The doors of Shri Badrinath Dham are opening on May 4 and that of Shri Kedarnath Dham on May 2, a release said.
Pvt Haj tour operators' quota for 10,000 pilgrims restored as govt seeks Saudi help
New Delhi, April 15: With the intervention of the Indian government, the Saudi Haj Ministry has offered a lifeline to private Haj operators whose quota of sending about 10,000 pilgrims faced cancellation due to delayed documentation, an official said on Tuesday.
Registration begins for Amarnath Yatra 2025, pilgrims queue up at 540 bank branches
Srinagar, April 15: Registration of Yatris for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra began on Tuesday, with pilgrims registering themselves online through the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) website. Offline registrations have also started at over 540 authorized bank branches across the country.
Amarnath Yatra registration process begins at 533 bank branches across country
Jammu, April 15: The registrations for this year's Shri Amarnath Yatra began in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
India's Haj quota rises to 1.75 lakh in 2025: Minority Affairs Ministry
New Delhi, April 15: The Minority Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said that India's Haj quota for the year 2025 is 1,75,025, a rise from 1,36,020 in 2014- the same year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi first took charge.
Registrations begin for upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Jammu, April 15: Registrations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra started on Tuesday. Visuals showed huge queues of people waiting to register.
Dr Farooq Abdullah appeals to PM Modi to get private Hajj quota restored
Srinagar, April 14: Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his friendship with the rulers of Saudi Arabia to get the private Hajj quota restored.
MP to offer pilgrimage-level facilities for visitors to Mhow in honour of Dr Ambedkar
Bhopal, April 14: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced that his government would make all necessary arrangements, similar to a pilgrimage, for those who wish to visit Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), the birthplace of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, to pay tribute to the iconic leader.
National Medical Commission clears trainee doctors' deployment during Char Dham Yatra
Dehradun, April 13: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved a proposal by the Uttarakhand Health Department allowing the voluntary deployment of postgraduate trainee doctors for health services during the Char Dham Yatra.
Manipur: Kuki tribals' protest against annual Meitei pilgrimage
Imphal, April 13: Hundreds of men and women belonging to the Kuki-Zo community have started protesting on Sunday in and around the foothills of Thangjing hill range against the Meitei community’s annual pilgrimage to the top of the hill in Manipur, which they consider a sacred site.
Pakistan's Punjab celebrates Baisakhi, Sikh pilgrims mark Khalsa's founding
Lahore, April 13: The age-old agrarian festival of Baisakhi, marking the start of the wheat harvest, was celebrated in Pakistan's Punjab on Sunday, though the observation was a bit low-key amid changing patterns of farming, reports said.
Amid devotees rush, six-km-long traffic jam on Srisailam highway
Hyderabad, April 13: Six-kilometre-long traffic jam was reported on the Srisailam highway in Telangana's Nagakurnool district on Sunday, as a sea of devotees headed for the Saleshwaram Jatara.
Haj 2025: Indian officials review arrangements in Saudi Arabia
New Delhi/Riyadh, April 12: Setting the tone for Haj 2025, Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia to review preparations for this year's pilgrimage, an official said on Saturday.
Jai Sachidanand Ji: PM Modi shares highlights of Shri Anandpur Dham visit in Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi, April 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the highlights from his visit to Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh on Friday.
Uttarakhand Govt makes Green Card mandatory for commercial vehicles carrying over 13 passengers in Chardham Yatra
Dehradun, April 11: With the Chardham Yatra set to commence on April 30, Uttarakhand government has made the Green Card mandatory for all commercial vehicles carrying 13 or more passengers as part of its safety measures, an official statement said on Friday.
J-K: Vaishno Devi Shrine Board inks MoU with THDCIL, GSI for pilgrim safety
Jammu, April 9: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDCIL) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to enhance pilgrim safety and security during the pilgrimage to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, officials said in a release.
Badrinath Dham Nodal officer reviews Chardham Yatra preparations
Chamoli, April 9: With the Chardham Yatra 2025 approaching, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, Secretary of the Medical Health Department and Nodal Officer for Badrinath Dham, held a comprehensive review meeting with officials of the concerned departments at the Collectorate in Chamoli on Wednesday.
Preserve Parasnath Hill in line with Jain traditions, Jharkhand HC tells govt
Ranchi, April 9: The Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government to take necessary steps to preserve Parasnath Hill -- a sacred pilgrimage site for Jains -- in accordance with their religious beliefs and traditions.
Senior Uttarakhand official conducts inspection tour in Chamoli ahead of Chardham Yatra
Dehradun, April 9: The Uttarakhand government has started preparations to conduct the Chardham Yatra 2025 smoothly, safely, and systematically.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel worships Narmada Maiyya on occasion of ongoing Panchkoshi holy circumambulation
Narmada, April 8: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached the Rampura Ghat in Nandod taluka of Narmada district on Tuesday morning on the occasion of the ongoing Panchkoshi holy circumambulation of Maa Narmada in the month of Chaitra and worshipped Narmada Maiya, as per a release.
Uttarakhand: Around 13.5 lakh register for Char Dham Yatra
Dehradun, April 8: Around 13.5 lakh devotees have registered for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, with the doors of Badrinath Dham slated to open from May 4, Garhwal Mandal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia halts short-term visas for 14 nations including India and Pakistan, ahead of Hajj
Dubai, April 8: Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary halt on issuing new short-term visas to citizens of 14 countries -- including India, Pakistan, and Egypt -- as part of its efforts to better manage the flow of travellers ahead of the upcoming Hajj season, Gulf News reported.
Gujarat CM to inspect arrangements for Narmada Uttarvahini Panchkoshi Parikrama at Rampura Ghat, Narmada district
Gandhinagar, April 7: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is scheduled to visit Rampura Ghat in Nandod Taluka of Narmada district on Tuesday, April 8, to review the arrangements for the Narmada Uttarvahini Panchkoshi Parikrama, said a statement from the Gujarat CMO.
BKTC advance team reaches Badrinath to begin Chardham Yatra preparations
Dehradun, April 7: As part of the preparations for the upcoming Chardham Yatra, a 30-member advance team of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) reached Badrinath Dham on Monday to oversee and begin restoration and infrastructural arrangements ahead of the annual pilgrimage, said an official statement.
Uttarakhand prepares for 'Green Chardham Yatra' to prevent problem of single-use plastic
Dehradun, April 6: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the government is preparing for the Green Chardham Yatra this time, a release from Uttarakhand CMO said.
J-K : Over 50,000 devotees served at Vaishno Devi langar, smart locker system gets positive feedback: CEO Anshul Garg
Katra,April 6: : The Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Anshul Garg said the board introduced a smart locker system during the Navratri period, which received positive feedback. He added that over 50,000 devotees benefitted from the langar services in nine days and that cleanliness was also prioritised during the festivities.