Char Dham Yatra Status: What Is Open and Closed Now

Facts checked November 2026.

Many families ask us the same question every autumn: is the Char Dham yatra still open? This page gives the status of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri for the 2026 season, where the deities stay in winter, and when to expect news about the 2027 opening.

This page is part of our Char Dham Yatra Places and Route Map guide. Planning the yatra? See our Char Dham yatra packages.

Is the Char Dham yatra open or closed right now?

The 2026 Char Dham season ends in November 2026. The four temples close one by one, on dates fixed by the priests using the Hindu calendar. In 2026 the order is Gangotri (10 November), then Kedarnath and Yamunotri (11 November), then Badrinath (16 November). Once Badrinath closes on 16 November 2026, all four high temples stay shut until spring 2027.

The yatra does not fully stop in winter. Each deity is carried in a doli (palanquin) to a winter seat at a lower village, and daily puja continues there. Families can still do darshan at these winter seats.

For the full list of opening and closing dates in one place, see our Char Dham opening and closing dates guide.

What is the status of Kedarnath?

The kapat of Kedarnath closed for winter at 8:30 am on 11 November 2026, the day of Bhai Dooj. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) fixed this time, as reported by PTI on 27 October 2026.

After the closing, the doli of Baba Kedar leaves the dham the same day. It is scheduled to reach its winter seat, the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, on 13 November 2026. Winter puja of Kedarnath happens there for about six months.

Nearby Panch Kedar temples follow their own dates. PTI reported the Tungnath closing for 6 November 2026, and the Madhmaheshwar closing for 16 November 2026, with its doli reaching Ukhimath on 19 November. Read more in our guides on the Kedarnath opening and closing date and the Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple.

What is the status of Badrinath?

Badrinath is the last of the four to close. Its kapat close for winter at 9:37 pm on 16 November 2026. This date was announced on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026.

The closing is not one single ritual. ETV Bharat gave this panch puja (five days of closing rituals) schedule for 12 to 16 November 2026:

• 12 November: Puja of Lord Ganesha; the Ganesh temple closes in the evening.
• 13 November: The Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Guru Shankaracharya temples close.
• 14 November: Vedic chanting in the sanctum stops.
• 15 November: Kadhai bhog is offered to Goddess Lakshmi, and the Rawal (chief priest) invites her into the sanctum.
• 16 November: Lakshmi is seated beside Lord Badri Vishal and the doors close at 9:37 pm.

By tradition, the Rawal covers the main deity with a ghee-soaked woollen blanket before the doors are locked. On 17 November the gaddi doli of Adi Guru Shankaracharya and the other dolis begin their winter journey. In winter, Uddhav and Kuber are worshipped at Pandukeshwar, and the gaddi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is worshipped at the Narsingh Temple in Jyotirmath (Joshimath). See our guides on the Badrinath opening and closing date and Badrinath winter darshan.

What is the status of Gangotri and Yamunotri?

Gangotri closed for winter at 12:05 pm on 10 November 2026, the day of Annakoot. Goddess Ganga’s doli then set out to halt overnight at the Markandeya Annapurna Temple and reach her winter home in Mukhba village on Bhai Dooj. Devotees can pray to Ma Ganga at Mukhba for the next six months.

Yamunotri closed for winter at 10:28 am on 11 November 2026, on Bhai Dooj, the same day as Kedarnath. Goddess Yamuna’s doli is taken to Kharsali village (also called Khushimath), where she is worshipped in winter.

Can we do Char Dham darshan in winter?

Yes, at the winter seats. The Uttarakhand government promotes a winter Char Dham yatra to these places, and BKTC runs guest houses along the routes from Rishikesh to Ukhimath and towards Badrinath.

• Gangotri: Ma Ganga at Mukhba village, on the banks of the Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi district.
• Yamunotri: Ma Yamuna at Kharsali village, Uttarkashi district.
• Kedarnath: Baba Kedar at the Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district.
• Badrinath: Uddhav and Kuber at Pandukeshwar, and Adi Shankaracharya’s gaddi at the Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath, Chamoli district.

Winter in the hills means real cold, rain and snow. Pack warm layers, plan short travel days, and check the weather and district advisories before you leave. Elderly family members should keep their regular medicines and see a doctor before the yatra.

When will the 2027 opening dates be announced?

The opening dates are never fixed in advance. Each temple announces them on a set festival day after the priests study the panchang. Here is how it worked for 2026, and the matching festival days in 2027 (dates from Drik Panchang for New Delhi).

The Gangotri and Yamunotri dates for 2027 are only an estimate. They are based on the tradition of opening on Akshaya Tritiya, as in 2026. Drik Panchang gives Akshaya Tritiya 2027 (Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya) as Sunday 9 May 2027 for New Delhi. The official date and time will come from the temple committees.

We do not guess the Kedarnath and Badrinath dates for 2027. They will be known only after the announcements on 11 February and 6 March 2027.

Is Char Dham registration and road travel open?

Registration for the Char Dham yatra is done on the official Uttarakhand Tourist Care portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. It is free. You create a yatra plan with your dates and dhams, add each pilgrim’s details, and download a registration letter with a QR code. You must also register your vehicle and verify yourself at each dham on arrival. The helpline is 1364 (toll-free).

When the high temples are closed, there is no darshan at the dhams themselves, so there is nothing to register for there. Registration for the 2027 season usually opens before the temples reopen. Watch the official portal for the notice. Our Char Dham registration guide explains each step.

Road conditions change quickly in winter. Snow and landslides can close high stretches for hours or days. Always check the latest district and weather updates on the day you travel.

How Yatra To Temples can help

If you want to plan for the 2027 season, see our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar package. For a winter-seat darshan plan, ask us.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kedarnath open now?

No. Kedarnath closed for winter at 8:30 am on 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj). Winter darshan of Baba Kedar is at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath until the temple reopens in 2027.

When does Badrinath close for winter in 2026?

Badrinath closes for winter at 9:37 pm on Monday 16 November 2026. The five days of panch puja closing rituals run from 12 to 16 November.

Which Char Dham temple closes first?

In 2026, Gangotri was first, closing on 10 November. On 11 November, Kedarnath closed at 8:30 am and Yamunotri closed at 10:28 am. Badrinath closes last, on 16 November.

Where can we do darshan of the Char Dham in winter?

At the winter seats: Mukhba for Gangotri, Kharsali for Yamunotri, the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for Kedarnath, and Pandukeshwar and the Narsingh Temple in Jyotirmath for Badrinath.

When will the Kedarnath opening date for 2027 be announced?

The Kedarnath opening date is announced on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. In 2027, Mahashivratri falls on Saturday 6 March 2027.

When will the Badrinath opening date for 2027 be announced?

The Badrinath opening date is announced on Basant Panchami at the Tehri royal court in Narendra Nagar. In 2027, Basant Panchami falls on Thursday 11 February 2027.

Do we need registration to visit the winter seats?

We could not find an official rule on registration for the winter seats. Check the Tourist Care portal or call the 1364 helpline before you travel, or ask us.

Can elderly parents do the winter darshan?

The winter seats are lower than the main dhams, but the cold is severe. Plan gentle travel days, carry warm clothes and medicines, and take medical advice before you start.