The temple committee of Char Dham has announced the official opening dates for the Char Dham Yatra in 2026. These dates mark the day when the portals (Kapat) of the temples will open, and the idols will be ceremoniously moved from their winter abodes to the main shrines.
The Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to four revered shrines in Uttarakhand, attracts thousands of devotees each year. These holy sites, nestled in the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, open their doors to pilgrims during specific periods. The Char Dham Temple Committee, in consultation with priests and the Hindu Panchang (calendar), determines the opening and closing dates for these shrines. This article provides information on the tentative dates for the Char Dham Yatra in 2026.
Note : Char Dham Opening Dates for 2026 has been updated below
(वर्ष 2026 के लिए श्री चारधाम यात्रा का शुभारंभ 28 गते बैशाख अर्थात शुक्रवार, 19 अप्रैल को होगा। इस दिन श्री यमुनोत्री धाम और गंगोत्री धाम के कपाट पारंपरिक विधि-विधान से खुलेंगे। तत्पश्चात श्री केदारनाथ धाम के कपाट वृष लग्न में प्रातः 07 बजे तथा श्री बद्रीनाथ धाम के कपाट 24 अप्रैल 2026 को प्रातःकाल भक्तों के दर्शनार्थ खोले जायेंगे।)
|
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Chardham Temples | Opening Date | Closing Date |
| Kedarnath | 22 April 2026 | 11 November 2026 |
| Badrinath | 24 April 2026 | 13 November 2026 |
| Gangotri | 19 April 2026 | 10 November 2026 |
| Yamunotri | 19 April 2026 | 11 November 2026 |
Note*: Tentative means here, exact dates not declared till now.
The Char Dham Yatra typically commences in April or May and concludes by November, before heavy snowfall blocks the roads in the Himalayas. The specific dates for each shrine are announced by the Char Dham Temple Committee after consulting the Hindu Panchang. The opening dates are usually declared on or before the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej.
The Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most significant shrines in the Char Dham circuit. The opening date for Kedarnath in 2026 is tentatively set for 22 April at 6:20 AM. This date is typically announced on Mahashivratri, following consultations with priests and calculations based on the Hindu Panchang.
The closing date for Kedarnath in 2026 is expected to be around 30 October, coinciding with the festival of Bhai Dooj. The exact closing date will be declared on Vijayadashmi (Dussehra) in 2026. During the winter months, when the temple is closed, the deity is moved to its winter abode at Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar Temple, where worship continues.
The Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is another crucial stop on the Char Dham Yatra. For 2026, the temple is expected to open its portals on 24 April at 6:00 AM. The opening date for Badrinath is traditionally announced on Basant Panchami, which falls in January or February. This announcement is made from the royal court of Tehri Naresh in Narendra Nagar.
The closing date for Badrinath in 2026 is tentatively set for 13 November. The exact date will be announced on Vijayadashmi (Dussehra) in 2026. After the temple closes, the deity of Badrinath is moved to Pandukeshwar near Joshimath, where it is worshiped during the winter months.
The Gangotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is set to open its doors to devotees on 19 April 2026. This date aligns with the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, which marks the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra season.
The closing date for Gangotri Temple in 2026 is expected to be 10 November, coinciding with the festival of Deepawali. This allows pilgrims to visit the shrine throughout the summer and early fall months when weather conditions are more favorable for travel in the region.
The Yamunotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, is the first stop on the traditional Char Dham Yatra route. In 2026, the temple is scheduled to open on 19 April, which is the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This auspicious day falls on the third lunar day of the month of Baisakh in the Shukla Paksha, making it particularly significant for Hindu devotees.
The closing date for Yamunotri Temple in 2026 is tentatively set for 11 November, which coincides with the festival of Bhai Dooj. A religious ceremony will be performed to mark the closing of the temple for the winter season.
