Char Dham Yatra 2025 Begins: Home Ministry warns pilgrims against rising online booking scams

With the Char Dham Yatra — covering Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath — opening its doors to devotees for 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a public alert warning pilgrims about increasing cases of online booking frauds.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), functioning under the Home Ministry, has flagged a surge in digital scams targeting religious tourists. The warning comes at a time when thousands of devotees are preparing to embark on the annual pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Uttarakhand.

According to the ministry, cybercriminals are exploiting the religious sentiments and urgency of pilgrims by creating fake websites and social media accounts that closely resemble genuine service providers. These fraudulent platforms advertise services such as helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, guest house and hotel reservations, cab or taxi service bookings, and even complete holiday or religious tour packages.

These scams are often spread through misleading Facebook posts, WhatsApp messages, and paid advertisements on popular search engines like Google. The criminals use professionally designed websites and offer discounted rates to lure unsuspecting victims, often leading them to make advance payments for non-existent services.

The I4C has urged the public to remain vigilant and not fall for offers that appear too good to be true. It recommends booking only through official portals and government-authorised platforms.

The Char Dham Yatra is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, drawing lakhs of devotees each year from across the country. With digital frauds on the rise, authorities stress that pilgrims should double-check the authenticity of the websites and agencies they are dealing with.

Pilgrims are also advised to report any suspicious websites or advertisements to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to help curb such activities.

As the yatra season picks up pace, the government’s message is clear: don’t let fraud ruin your spiritual journey — stay alert, book safe.