Hemkund Sahib Opening Date 2027 and Closing Date (10 Oct 2026)

Facts checked November 2026.

Hemkunt Sahib (also written Hemkund Sahib) is a Sikh gurudwara beside a glacial lake high above Ghangaria in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Snow covers it for about half the year, so it opens only from late May to early October. This page gives the confirmed dates for recent years, the expected window for 2027, and the practical points families ask us about.

This page is part of our Badrinath Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Char Dham and Badrinath yatra packages.

When does Hemkund Sahib open and close?

The gurudwara opens once snow on the trek has been cleared, usually in the last ten days of May. It closes in the second week of October, before heavy snowfall. In 2026 the doors opened on 23 May and closed on 10 October. On closing day the final Ardas (prayer) was held and the doors were shut to pilgrims at about 1 pm.

The Lokpal Laxman temple, a Hindu shrine on the banks of the same lake (locally called Lokpal), closed on the same day as the gurudwara in both 2025 and 2026. Local belief holds that Lakshman did penance here.

Hemkund Sahib opening and closing dates by year

The 2027 row is only an estimate based on the pattern above. It is not a confirmed date. We will update this page as soon as the trust announces the dates.

Who decides the Hemkund Sahib dates?

The dates are set by the Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, working with the Uttarakhand government and the Chamoli district administration. In 2026 the trust president, Narendra Jeet Singh Bindra, shared the 23 May opening date on 16 March during a meeting with the state’s Chief Secretary. The closing date (10 October) was announced on 10 August 2026.

Before opening, Indian Army personnel and sevadars (volunteers) clear snow from the path. Weather plays a big part. In 2023, heavy snow on the route led to a temporary ban on pilgrims over 60 and on children in the first days of the yatra. So a planned date can shift, and early-season rules can change.

Is registration required for Hemkund Sahib?

Yes. Hemkund Sahib is covered by the Uttarakhand government’s official yatra registration portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, the same system used for the Char Dham yatra. The portal describes registration as free and required before you travel. You can also register through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand mobile app.

• Create an account, add your travel dates and the number of pilgrims, and select Hemkund Sahib.
• Download the yatra registration letter with its QR code and carry it with a valid photo ID.
• Carry the letter on the route. The portal asks pilgrims to verify their registration at the shrine they visit.
• State helpline: 1364 (toll-free) or 0135-3520100.

In the first days of some past seasons, the number of pilgrims per day was capped (in 2023 it was 2,500 a day). Registering early helps.

How do you reach Hemkund Sahib from Govindghat?

The yatra starts at Govindghat on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway, about 25 km before Badrinath. From there:

1. Govindghat to Pulna: about 3–4 km by shared vehicle.
2. Pulna to Ghangaria: the rest of the 13 km stretch from Govindghat, on foot or by pony. Ghangaria (also called Gobind Dham) is the overnight base with gurudwara and hotel stays. A helicopter service between Govindghat and Ghangaria has run in recent seasons, subject to weather.
3. Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib: about 6 km by the state portal (some pages say 5 km), a steep stone-paved climb. Beyond Ghangaria it is walking, pony or palki (a carried chair) only.

Night stays are not allowed at Hemkund Sahib itself. Pilgrims climb from Ghangaria in the morning and come back down the same day, so an early start matters. Langar (free community meal) is served at the gurudwara.

How high is Hemkund Sahib?

Published figures differ. The Uttarakhand registration portal lists the gurudwara at 4,632 m (15,197 ft). News reports usually say “over 15,000 feet”. Wikipedia, citing the Survey of India, gives about 4,572 m, while the Incredible India tourism site gives a lower 4,329 m. Whichever figure you go by, it is far higher than Badrinath, and the last 6 km gain a lot of height quickly.

Is the Hemkund Sahib yatra safe for elderly pilgrims?

It is a high-altitude yatra, so plan carefully. Thin air can cause headache, breathlessness, nausea or dizziness, especially on the steep climb from Ghangaria. Simple steps help:

• Spend a night at Ghangaria before the final climb. Do not rush up and down in one go from Govindghat.
• Walk slowly, drink water, and stop if you feel unwell.
• Pilgrims with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
• Carry warm layers and rain gear. Snow and cold are possible even in June and late September.

Read our altitude sickness guide for yatris for warning signs and what to do.

When is the Valley of Flowers open?

The Valley of Flowers National Park shares the same base, Ghangaria, and is about 3–4 km from it. In 2026 it opened on 1 June and stayed open until 31 October. It opens a little after Hemkund Sahib and closes a few weeks later. July and August are usually the fullest flowering months, though this is also monsoon time. Entry needs a forest department permit, available online or at the Ghangaria counter. Many families plan one day for the gurudwara and one for the valley.

Can you combine Hemkund Sahib with Badrinath?

Yes, and many pilgrims do. Govindghat is only about 25 km by road from Badrinath, so the two fit well together. A combined yatra simply needs extra days for the Govindghat–Ghangaria–Hemkund walk and back. The Badrinath portals usually stay open until November, so the full Hemkund season fits inside the Badrinath season. See our Badrinath opening and closing date page, the Badrinath yatra guide, and the Char Dham opening and closing dates for the wider calendar.

How Yatra To Temples can help

We do not have a fixed Hemkund Sahib package yet. Our Badrinath and Joshimath darshan yatra starts and ends at Haridwar, passes through Govindghat, and includes hotels, vegetarian breakfast and dinner, a private vehicle, Uttarakhand yatra registration done for you, and a yatra coordinator on call. Our Badri Vishal darshan yatra is another Haridwar-to-Haridwar option with Mana village. Both pages say Hemkund Sahib can be added as a custom option needing extra days. If you would like Hemkund Sahib or the Valley of Flowers added, ask us through our contact page or write to shiva@yatratotemples.in. Price on request.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hemkund Sahib opening date in 2027?

It has not been announced yet. Expected (estimate): between 20 and 25 May 2027 — the official date is announced on/around February–March 2027. Recent openings were 20 May (2023), 25 May (2024 and 2025) and 23 May (2026).

When did Hemkund Sahib close in 2026?

The doors closed for winter on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at about 1 pm after the final Ardas. The Lokpal Laxman temple closed the same day. More than 3.84 lakh pilgrims visited during the 2026 season, as reported in the news.

Can I visit Hemkund Sahib in November or April?

No. The gurudwara stays closed and snowbound from mid-October until late May. The route is not open to pilgrims in these months.

Is Hemkund Sahib registration free?

The official Uttarakhand portal describes yatra registration as free. You register online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or on the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, and carry the registration letter with photo ID.

Can I stay overnight at Hemkund Sahib?

No. Night stays are not allowed at the lake. Pilgrims stay at Ghangaria, climb to the gurudwara in the morning and return the same day.

Is there a helicopter to Hemkund Sahib?

A helicopter service has run between Govindghat and Ghangaria in recent seasons, depending on weather. From Ghangaria to the gurudwara you must walk or take a pony or palki.

Which is the best month to visit Hemkund Sahib?

Many pilgrims prefer June or September for the walk. July and August bring the most flowers in the Valley of Flowers but also monsoon rain and landslide risk. Check the weather and road updates before you leave.