In a key update for pilgrims, the online portal for booking the last helicopter slot for Kedarnath Dham will open soon, with ticket booking scheduled between 13 and 21 October 2025. The announcement brings clarity for devotees planning their final visits before the shrine’s seasonal closure.
Our correspondent reports that temple authorities and aviation officials have made necessary preparations for the portal opening. The booking window will be activated for the last batch of slots, allowing devotees to reserve helicopter seats to and from Kedarnath during the closing period.
Our correspondent adds that the process will be conducted via the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal, which remains the only authorised platform for booking Kedarnath helicopter services. Pilgrims are reminded that Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory before making any booking, and seats are expected to sell out quickly due to high demand and limited availability.
Officials said the period from 13 to 21 October has been chosen to accommodate devotees who could not travel earlier but still wish to avail air transit before the temple doors close for winter. The portal timing and exact slot release schedule will be announced shortly by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).
Sources within the aviation department confirmed that multiple helipads including Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi will handle the increased traffic. To manage demand, certain slots will be allocated in lottery mode, and safety protocols will be strictly enforced given the challenging terrain and narrow weather window. Authorities are also likely to issue guidelines on baggage limits, check-in times and medical fitness to ensure smooth operations.
Observers noted that this final booking window is critical, as once the temple closes, helicopter services will pause until the mahaprayagrain season next year. The move is expected to relieve stress on trek routes and reduce last-minute crowding, especially for pilgrims travelling from distant locations.
A senior official stated that technical checks and system rehearsals have been completed ahead of the portal activation. Backup servers and support teams will be on standby to manage surges in traffic and prevent system crashes. In previous years, portal outages and booking conflicts had created difficulty for many devotees seeking the last slots.
Pilgrims are advised to keep all travel documents, registration credentials and identity proofs ready in advance. Any discrepancy or delay during booking may result in loss of seat, as refunds or reassignments post-booking will be limited under policy.
As the 21 October deadline approaches, demand is expected to rise steeply. Authorities warn against fake agents or unauthorised websites claiming early access to tickets and advise devotees to rely only on official platforms.
With the portal opening window confirmed, thousands of late pilgrims now have hope to complete their Kedarnath journey by air. For many, this chance may be the last opportunity this season to visit the sacred shrine without undertaking the arduous trek.
