Uttarakhand Implements Complete Ban on Mobile Phones and Cameras at Char Dham Shrines
Move Aims to Preserve Sanctity and Ensure Smooth Pilgrimage Experience
Dehradun, Uttarakhand – The Uttarakhand government has announced a comprehensive ban on mobile phones and cameras inside the temple complexes of the Char Dham pilgrimage effective immediately. Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey chaired a review meeting with district magistrates, senior superintendents of police, and officials from concerned departments to finalize this decision.
Key Highlights:
The ban applies to all four Char Dham temples – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri – and prohibits devotees from carrying mobile phones and cameras within the temple premises. The government has imposed strict restrictions within a 30-meter radius of the shrines to prevent disruptions during sacred darshan.
“Mobile phones and cameras inside the temple complexes create several problems during darshan,” Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated. “We have decided to impose a complete ban to preserve the sanctity and discipline of this sacred pilgrimage.”
Addressing Pilgrimage Disruptions
The decision responds to growing concerns about disturbances that photography, videography, and content creation activities cause within the temple premises. These activities, particularly reel filming and livestreaming, create overcrowding, disrupt prayers, and inconvenience pilgrims seeking a peaceful spiritual experience.
Safe Storage Facilities
The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee will establish secure storage facilities within the temple complexes. Pilgrims can deposit their mobile phones and cameras before entering the temple for darshan and retrieve them upon exit. Once outside the temple premises, devotees can freely capture photographs and videos with the temple structures in the background.
Managing Large Pilgrim Numbers
Over 50 lakh devotees visited the four Char Dham temples during the previous pilgrimage season. The state administration has undertaken this measure to manage the large influx while maintaining the spiritual sanctity of the pilgrimage. The Char Dham Yatra commences on 19 April 2026, with Gangotri and Yamunotri temples opening first, followed by Kedarnath on May 22 and Badrinath on May 24.
Additional Measures
The Uttarakhand government has implemented several other measures for the 2026 Char Dham Yatra, including:
- Ten designated holding areas at key locations for essential amenities and support
- A token system to streamline darshan at all four shrines
- Enhanced police patrolling across 10-km sectors on the pilgrimage routes
- Health advisories urging medical check-ups before undertaking the yatra
- Prohibition of VIP darshan to ensure equal access and crowd management
Enforcement and Compliance
The administration will enforce strict measures to ensure compliance with the ban, and authorities will take legal action against individuals who violate the directive.
“The Char Dham Yatra represents a sacred pilgrimage that devotees undertake with devotion and discipline. Devotees must respect the sanctity of the temples,” Commissioner Pandey affirmed.
Contact Information:
Office of Garhwal Commissioner
Uttarakhand Government
