The two dhams of Uttarkashi district will close for winter on consecutive days this year. Gangotri Dham closes on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the day of Govardhan Puja (Annakut), at 12:05 pm. Yamunotri Dham closes on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, Bhai Dooj. The dates were reported on 20 October 2026 along with those of Kedarnath and Badrinath; the Yamunotri muhurat was fixed at a meeting of the temple committee and priests. Maa Ganga’s doli goes to Mukhba and Maa Yamuna’s to Kharsali, the two winter seats.
Closing dates and winter seats
| Dham | Closing | Winter seat | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | 10 Nov 2026, 12:05 pm (Annakut / Govardhan Puja) | Ganga temple, Mukhba village | In 2025 the doli halted overnight at the Markandeya temple and reached Mukhba the next day |
| Yamunotri | 11 Nov 2026 (Bhai Dooj); time reported as 10:28 am | Kharsali village | Confirm the exact time locally, as reports differ in detail |
These are the first two dhams to open each spring, on Akshaya Tritiya, and they also close first. In 2026 both opened on 19 April. At the end of the 2025 season, News On AIR reported that more than 14 lakh pilgrims had visited Gangotri and Yamunotri together.
What it means for yatris
- Diwali falls just before: Diwali is on 8 November 2026. Hill roads and hotels in Uttarkashi fill with local families in that week, so book stays early if you plan a last darshan.
- Yamunotri needs a walk: the path from Janki Chatti is steep. In November mornings are icy, so start late enough for the sun to warm the path, and keep pony or palki options in mind for elderly yatris.
- Winter darshan is gentle: Mukhba lies a short drive below Gangotri near Harsil, and Kharsali is across the Yamuna from Janki Chatti. Both are reachable through most of the winter, with occasional snow closures.
- 2027 opening: both dhams traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya, which falls in May 2027. The exact muhurat is usually announced in spring.
Plan with us
Gangotri and Yamunotri are part of our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar and Char Dham Yatra from Delhi. Read our Gangotri and Yamunotri yatra guide for the route, and the best time for Char Dham before choosing dates for 2027. To plan, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
