Char Dham & Kedarnath Closing Dates 2026 + Winter Char Dham Guide
Char Dham · Yatra 2026
Quick answer: The Char Dham temples close for winter at the end of the yatra season. For 2026 the dates are announced on Dussehra and are tentative until officially confirmed — by tradition Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri close around late October (the Bhai Dooj / Diwali period) and Badrinath closes in November. During winter the deities are worshipped at lower-altitude “winter seats,” and the shrines reopen in April–May 2027.
If you’re searching for Char Dham closing dates, you’re at the end of the pilgrimage season. Here’s when each shrine closes, why, where worship continues in winter, and when the Char Dham reopens — kept accurate with official sources.
| Shrine | Closing (2026, tentative) | Winter worship seat |
|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath | Late October (on Bhai Dooj) | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath |
| Gangotri | Late October (around Annakut/Diwali) | Mukhwa village |
| Yamunotri | Late October (on Bhai Dooj) | Kharsali (Kharsali/Khushimath) |
| Badrinath | November | Narsingh Temple, Joshimath |
When does Kedarnath close in 2026?
Kedarnath closes on Bhai Dooj — two days after Diwali — which falls in late October 2026 (tentative). At the closing ceremony the temple is decorated with flowers and the palanquin of Lord Kedarnath is carried down; the deity then resides at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for the next six months. This is also the effective end of the main yatra season for Kedarnath.
When does Badrinath close in 2026?
Badrinath is the last of the four to close, in November (tentative for 2026), marking the official end of that year’s Char Dham Yatra. In winter, Lord Badrinath is worshipped at the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.
Why do the Char Dham temples close in winter?
All four shrines sit at high Himalayan altitudes that receive heavy snowfall and become cut off through winter. Rather than pausing worship, tradition moves each deity to a lower-altitude winter seat, where daily rituals continue for roughly six months until the shrines reopen in spring.
Winter Char Dham — worship continues
The “Winter Char Dham” lets devotees seek darshan through the cold months at the winter seats — Omkareshwar (Ukhimath), Mukhwa, Kharsali and Joshimath — which stay accessible by road. The Uttarakhand government has been promoting this winter circuit in recent years as an alternative to the summer yatra.
When does the Char Dham reopen?
The shrines reopen in April–May, with dates set on the traditional calendar. In 2026, Gangotri and Yamunotri opened on 19 April (Akshaya Tritiya), Kedarnath on 22 April and Badrinath on 23 April. The 2027 opening dates are announced in early 2027 — plan ahead if you intend to do the yatra next season.
Planning your Char Dham or Himalayan yatra
If you’re planning for the next season, explore our Char Dham Yatra and Kedarnath Yatra packages, the shorter Do Dham Yatra, or the Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Yatra — and contact Divine Trail to reserve early for the 2027 opening.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Char Dham temples close in 2026?
The Char Dham closing dates for 2026 are announced on Dussehra and are tentative until confirmed. By tradition, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri close around late October (Bhai Dooj / Diwali period) and Badrinath closes in November. Always verify on the official site badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in.
When does Kedarnath temple close in 2026?
Kedarnath temple closes for winter on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali, which falls in late October 2026 (tentative). After closing, Lord Kedarnath is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for six months.
Why do the Char Dham temples close in winter?
The Char Dham shrines sit at high Himalayan altitudes that receive heavy snowfall and become inaccessible in winter. The deities are moved to lower-altitude winter seats, where worship continues for about six months.
Where are the Char Dham deities worshipped in winter?
In winter, Kedarnath is worshipped at Omkareshwar Temple (Ukhimath), Gangotri at Mukhwa village, Yamunotri at Kharsali, and Badrinath at the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath. This is known as the Winter Char Dham.
When will the Char Dham reopen in 2026?
For 2026 the shrines reopened in April–May: Gangotri and Yamunotri on 19 April (Akshaya Tritiya), Kedarnath on 22 April and Badrinath on 23 April. The 2027 opening dates are announced in early 2027.
