In short: Badrinath’s five-day closing rituals, the panch pujas, began on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and the Ganesh temple shut that evening. The Adi Kedareshwar and Shankaracharya shrines close on 13 November. The main kapat of Badrinath close at 9:37 pm on 16 November.
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| What happened | Panch pujas began; Ganesh temple doors closed in the evening |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 12 November 2026 |
| Next closing | 13 November: Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Guru Shankaracharya temples |
| Vedic recitation | Stops on 14 November, after the Khadga Pustak puja |
| Main kapat close | 9:37 pm, Monday, 16 November 2026 |
| Dolis leave | 17 November; Badri Vishal’s utsav doli goes towards Pandukeshwar |
| Confirmed by | BKTC media in-charge Dr Harish Gaur (Amar Ujala) |
The countdown to Badrinath’s winter closing has begun. On Thursday, 12 November 2026, the temple’s five days of closing rituals, called the panch pujas, started at Badrinath Dham in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. On this first day, the doors of the Ganesh temple in the Badrinath complex were closed in the evening, after all the rituals were complete.
Before the morning abhishek puja, the idol of Lord Ganesh was carried from the temple courtyard into the sanctum of the main Badrinath temple. Devotees could then have darshan of Lord Ganesh together with Lord Badri Vishal, Amar Ujala reported. Dr Harish Gaur, media in-charge of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), confirmed the closing of the Ganesh temple.
The rituals are led by the Rawal (chief priest) Amarnath Namboodiri, with Naib Rawal Suryaraag Namboodiri, Dharmadhikari Acharya Swayamvar Semwal and other acharyas. BKTC officials and district officers are present, IANS reported.
Day-by-day: what happens next at Badrinath
| Date | Ritual |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 12 November | Panch pujas begin; Ganesh temple doors close (done) |
| Friday, 13 November | Doors of the Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Guru Shankaracharya temples close |
| Saturday, 14 November | Khadga Pustak puja; Vedic recitation stops for the season |
| Sunday, 15 November | Goddess Lakshmi is ceremonially invited to stay in the Badri Vishal temple |
| Monday, 16 November | Main kapat of Badrinath close at 9:37 pm |
| Tuesday, 17 November | Dolis of Uddhav ji, Kuber ji and Adi Guru Shankaracharya leave for their winter seats; Badri Vishal’s utsav doli goes towards Pandukeshwar |
Source for the schedule: IANS, 12 November 2026.
What this means for yatris
- Darshan of Badri Vishal is still open. Only the smaller shrines in the complex close first. The main temple stays open until the night of 16 November.
- Want to hear the Vedic chanting? Reach Badrinath by 13 November, as the recitation stops on 14 November.
- Expect crowds and cold. The last days before closing draw large crowds, and Badrinath (about 3,130 m) is well below freezing at night in mid-November. Carry heavy woollens and keep a spare day.
- After 16 November, winter worship continues lower down the valley at Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath, which stay open by road through the winter.
For the full closing muhurat and where each deity stays in winter, read our earlier report: Badrinath kapat close on 16 November 2026 at 9:37 pm.
Related guides and yatras
- Badrinath winter darshan – Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath explained
- Winter Char Dham darshan 2026-27 – all four winter seats
- Badrinath yatra guide – route, timings and tips
- Panch Badri guide – the five Badri temples
- Badrinath Dham Yatra – plan your darshan
More yatra updates
Frequently asked questions
When did the panch pujas begin at Badrinath in 2026?
On Thursday, 12 November 2026. The Ganesh temple doors in the Badrinath complex closed that evening, which is the first of the five closing rituals.
Is Badrinath darshan still open after the Ganesh temple closed?
Yes. Darshan of Lord Badri Vishal continues until the main kapat close at 9:37 pm on Monday, 16 November 2026. Only the smaller shrines in the complex close earlier.
When does the Vedic chanting stop at Badrinath?
On 14 November 2026, after the Khadga Pustak puja. To hear the recitation, plan to be at Badrinath by 13 November.
Where does Lord Badri Vishal’s doli go after the closing?
On 17 November the utsav doli of Badri Vishal sets out towards Pandukeshwar, and the dolis of Uddhav ji, Kuber ji and Adi Guru Shankaracharya leave for their winter seats, IANS reported.
Who performs the closing rituals?
The Rawal, Amarnath Namboodiri, with the Naib Rawal, the Dharmadhikari and other acharyas, in the presence of BKTC officials.
Sources
- IANS (via SocialNews.XYZ) – Panch Pujas begin at Badrinath Dham ahead of closure, preparations for winter pilgrimage underway – 12 Nov 2026
- Amar Ujala – Panch pujas begin in Badrinath; doors of the Ganesh temple closed on the first day (Hindi) – 12 Nov 2026
