By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Pilgrims visiting Badrinath and Kedarnath will not be allowed to use mobile phones and cameras inside the temple complexes this year, top officials said on Sunday.
After holding a review meeting on the Char Dham Yatra this season in Rishikesh, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said the decision to ban mobile phones and cameras was taken as their use had caused problems in the smooth conduct of the darshan.
Pandey said the devotees would deposit their mobile phones and cameras before entering the temples. However, the pilgrims will be allowed to take pictures of the surrounding areas with the background of the two temples, he said.
The Garhwal Commissioner said that in order to make the Char Dham Yatra smooth, safe, and convenient, officials have been instructed to complete all necessary arrangements on time.
More than 50 lakh devotees visited four Chardham shrines comprising Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, during the last season in 2025.
The dates for the opening of the doors of the chardham shrines have not yet been announced. Gangotri and Yamunotri temples open on Akshaya Tritiya which is falling on April 19 this year. The date for the opening of the Badrinath temple will be announced on Basant Panchami and Kedarnath temple on Maha Shivratri.