Char Dham Closing Dates 2026: When Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri Close for Winter

Every year, as the first snow touches the high Himalaya, the four great shrines of Uttarakhand's Char Dham shut their doors. The deity is carried down in a decorated palanquin, the temple is sealed, and for about six months the worship moves to a village lower in the valley.

If you are planning a late-season yatra, or just want to see a closing ceremony, here is what to expect in 2026.

When do the Char Dham temples close in 2026?

The official 2026 dates are: Gangotri on 10 November, Kedarnath and Yamunotri on 11 November, and Badrinath on 16 November. They were announced around Vijayadashami (20 October 2026) by the temple committees.

• Gangotri: Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 12:05 pm, on Annakoot (Govardhan Puja). The doli of Mother Ganga reaches her winter home at Mukhba on 11 November.
• Kedarnath: Wednesday, 11 November 2026, on Bhai Dooj. The exact time is set by the temple committee; it is usually in the early morning.
• Yamunotri: Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at 10:28 am, on Bhai Dooj, the festival of Yamuna and her brother Yama.
• Badrinath: Monday, 16 November 2026, at 9:37 pm. The utsav idols leave for their winter seats on 17 November.

Two of the Panch Kedar also close this month: Tungnath on 6 November (doli reaches Makkumath on 8 November) and Madhyamaheshwar on 16 November (doli reaches Ukhimath on 19 November).

Sources: announcements reported by Amar Ujala and ETV Bharat on 19-20 October 2026. Always check the official BKTC and temple committee notices before you travel.

How are the closing dates decided?

Priests and temple committees fix the dates from the Hindu calendar at special ceremonies, usually on Vijayadashami (Dussehra). For Badrinath and Kedarnath, this is done by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).

In 2026, the Badrinath date was fixed on Vijayadashami, 20 October, at the temple, along with the schedule of the 'Panch Puja' rituals before closing. The Kedarnath date was fixed the same day at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. The Gangotri and Yamunotri dates are announced by their own temple committees.

What happens on closing day?

A last special puja, a farewell to the deity, and a slow procession of the palanquin down to its winter home. It is a deeply emotional day for local families, priests and pilgrims.

At Kedarnath, the five-faced festival idol of Shiva is placed in a decorated doli (palanquin) and carried down over two to three days, stopping at villages on the way, to Ukhimath. At Badrinath, the five days before closing are marked by the 'Panch Puja':

• 12 November: Ganesh puja; the Ganesh temple closes.
• 13 November: Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Shankaracharya temples close.
• 14 November: Vedic recitation in the sanctum stops.
• 15 November: 'Kadhai bhog' offering to Goddess Lakshmi, and the Rawal invites her into the sanctum.
• 16 November: Lakshmi is seated beside Badri Vishal, and the doors close at 9:37 pm.

Where do the deities spend the winter?

Each deity moves to a winter seat lower in the valley, where daily worship continues and pilgrims can still have darshan.

• Kedarnath: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath (Rudraprayag district)
• Badrinath: Pandukeshwar (idols of Uddhav and Kuber) and Jyotirmath (Narsingh Temple and the seat of Adi Shankaracharya)
• Gangotri: Mukhba village, near Harsil
• Yamunotri: Kharsali village, across the river from Janki Chatti

A winter yatra to these four seats has become popular in recent years. They are open all winter and much easier to reach than the high shrines; see our guide to the Char Dham winter seats for how to reach each one and a 6-8 day route. If you are visiting Jyotirmath, it is a short drive up to the snow slopes of Auli, where skiing starts once the snow settles.

Should you do the yatra in November?

Yes, if you are well prepared, but expect cold, fewer services and quick weather changes. The last two weeks before closing are quiet and beautiful, and closing day itself is crowded with people who come to see the ceremony.

• Nights at Kedarnath and Badrinath fall well below freezing in November. Carry proper winter clothing.
• Many dhabas, ponies and helicopter services wind down in the last week.
• Keep one or two spare days; an early snowfall can close roads for a day.
• Check the official BKTC and Uttarakhand Tourism announcements before you leave.

When do the temples open again?

In late April or May 2027. Gangotri and Yamunotri usually open on Akshaya Tritiya. The Kedarnath date is announced on Mahashivratri at Ukhimath, and the Badrinath date on Basant Panchami at the Narendra Nagar palace. We will publish the 2027 opening dates as soon as they are announced.