Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath: Kedarnath Winter Darshan

Facts checked November 2026.

When snow shuts Kedarnath for about six months, Baba Kedar does not stop receiving puja. His utsav doli (the deity’s festival palanquin) comes down to Ukhimath, a small town about 13 km from Guptkashi, and daily worship continues at the Omkareshwar Temple. This guide explains when the doli arrives, how to plan darshan, and what else to see nearby.

This page is part of our Kedarnath Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Kedarnath yatra packages.

Where is Lord Kedarnath worshipped in winter?

The winter seat (gaddi sthal) of Kedarnath is the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. The Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) says the utsav doli of Lord Kedarnath is brought here from Kedarnath every winter and the winter puja of Kedarnath is held here. Lord Omkareshwar himself is worshipped at this temple all year round, so the temple is never empty of worship.

Ukhimath is also the winter home of Madhyamaheshwar, the second of the Panch Kedar. Its doli joins Baba Kedar at the same temple a few days later. The head priest of the Omkareshwar Temple has said that darshan here carries punya (spiritual merit) equal to darshan of Lord Kedarnath.

For the other three dhams and their winter seats, read our short news update on winter Char Dham darshan 2026.

When does the Kedarnath doli reach Ukhimath in 2026?

As reported by PTI, the Kedarnath kapat (temple doors) closed at 8:30 am on 11 November 2026, the day of Bhai Dooj. The same report says the doli leaves the shrine that day and reaches the Omkareshwar Temple on 13 November. ETV Bharat adds that it comes down via Phata and Guptkashi.

In recent years the doli has walked down in three days. In 2024 and 2025 it halted the first night at Rampur and the second night at Guptkashi, reaching Ukhimath on the third day. In 2024 it passed through Vidyapeeth, Kund and Sansari on the last stretch, with flower showers along the road and an Army band playing alongside local instruments at the temple. The 2026 halts have not been confirmed in the sources we opened, so treat this route as the usual pattern, not a fixed schedule.

For the full season calendar, see our Kedarnath opening and closing date guide.

When does the Madhyamaheshwar doli come to Ukhimath?

The same PTI report says the Madhyamaheshwar temple is set to close on 16 November 2026, and its doli is due to reach the Omkareshwar Temple on 19 November 2026.

If you want to see both deities in their winter home, plan your visit after 19 November. To learn about the summer trek to the main shrine, read our Madhyamaheshwar temple trek guide.

What are the legends of the Omkareshwar Temple?

The BKTC and the state’s Shri Kedarnath trust website both record two main stories linked to this place:

• Usha and Aniruddha: Usha, daughter of the asura king Banasura (Vanasur), is said to have married Aniruddha, grandson of Lord Krishna, here. The town was first called Ushamath after her, and the name slowly became Ukhimath. An Usha–Aniruddha temple stands near the main temple, where Maa Varahi is also worshipped.
• King Mandhata: The ancient king Mandhata is believed to have done tapasya (penance) to Lord Shiva at this spot.

Ukhimath also has old shrines to Usha, Shiva, Parvati, Aniruddha and Mandhata. One popular tradition credits the Pandavas with building the Omkareshwar Temple. GMVN notes that its mandap (hall) and garbhagriha (sanctum) resemble those of the Kedarnath and Tungnath temples.

Is Ukhimath the seat of the Kedarnath Rawal?

Yes. The Rawal is the chief priest of Kedarnath. By tradition he comes from the Veerashaiva (Lingayat) community of Karnataka, and his presence is needed at the opening and closing of the temple doors. The state’s Kedarnath trust website notes that the Rawals come down to Ukhimath for the winter months, and GMVN describes Ukhimath as the place where the Rawals mainly live.

Ukhimath is also where the next opening date is fixed. On Mahashivratri (15 February 2026), the Kedarnath opening date for 2026 was announced at the Omkareshwar Temple after special prayers, along with the doli’s return schedule. The same ritual is expected on Mahashivratri 2027. In spring, the doli leaves Omkareshwar and walks back up to Kedarnath over a few days.

How do I do darshan at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath?

1. Check the date. Baba Kedar’s winter darshan begins once the doli arrives on 13 November 2026. Lord Omkareshwar can be seen any day of the year.
2. Reach Ukhimath by road. No trek is needed. The temple is in the town.
3. Go early in the day. Mornings are clear and quiet. Ask the temple office or a local priest for the day’s aarti and puja timings, because we could not confirm fixed timings from an official source.
4. Book any special puja at the temple. The BKTC runs its own puja booking. If you cannot travel, a priest can offer a puja in your name (see below).
5. Dress warmly and respect photo rules. Filming inside the sanctum depends on what the temple allows.

How do I reach Ukhimath?

From Haridwar or Rishikesh, the road goes via Rudraprayag towards Kund on the Kedarnath road, and on to Ukhimath. The district says buses and cabs are easily available. Many families break the long drive with a night halt on the way. Winter days are short, so start early and avoid driving in the dark.

What is the weather like in Ukhimath in winter?

Ukhimath sits at about 1,311 m, much lower than Kedarnath. November is usually clear and pleasant by day. From December to February it gets cold, January nights can drop well below freezing, and snowfall is possible. Heavy woollens are needed in January. Higher roads, such as the Ukhimath–Chopta road, can be blocked by snow for hours. Keep a buffer day if you are travelling in mid-winter.

What can I see near Ukhimath in winter?

• Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi: An ancient Shiva temple about 1 km walk from the main Guptkashi road, with an Ardhanarishwar shrine and a kund fed by two streams.
• Kalimath: One of the Siddha Peeths, about 20 km from Ukhimath, held in high esteem by devotees of Maa Kali.
• Usha–Aniruddha temple: Right next to the Omkareshwar Temple.
• Deoria Tal: A lake often visited from Ukhimath. Ask locally about snow on the path before you set out.

Important: Tungnath’s winter seat is not Ukhimath. It is Makkumath, as listed by the BKTC. Tungnath closed on 6 November 2026, and its doli reaches Makkumath two days later. Makkumath is a separate drive, so plan it as its own visit.

Does Uttarakhand promote a winter Char Dham yatra?

Yes. In recent winters the state has promoted darshan at all four winter seats: Ukhimath (Kedarnath), Pandukeshwar (Badrinath), Mukhba (Gangotri) and Kharsali (Yamunotri). Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has prayed at the Omkareshwar Temple for the winter yatra and called it a “game changer” for the state. On 4 December 2025 the Kedarnath winter yatra was formally launched at this temple with a Kalash Yatra, and the District Magistrate said roads, drinking water, electricity, parking and security had been arranged. Official 2026–27 arrangements had not been announced in the sources we checked.

Related guide: Kalimath temple guide

How Yatra To Temples can help

If you cannot travel to Ukhimath this winter, our Kedarnath winter puja at Omkareshwar, Ukhimath (online) lets a local priest take a sankalp in your family’s names and gotra and offer the puja before Baba Kedar’s winter seat. The package includes puja samagri, priest dakshina, a video on WhatsApp (live link on request) and prasad couriered to one address in India. It runs from 13 November 2026, when the doli arrives, until Kedarnath reopens. Price on request.

Planning to visit in person, or for the summer Dham? Read our Kedarnath yatra guide, and for a winter road yatra to Ukhimath, ask us through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kedarnath ji in winter?

The utsav doli of Lord Kedarnath stays at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district, through the winter. Daily puja is done there until the doors of Kedarnath open again in spring.

When can I start winter darshan of Kedarnath at Ukhimath in 2026?

The doli reached Ukhimath on 13 November 2026, two days after Kedarnath closes on 11 November. From then on, you can have Baba Kedar’s darshan at the Omkareshwar Temple.

Is darshan at Ukhimath equal to Kedarnath darshan?

The head priest of the Omkareshwar Temple has said a visit here gives punya equal to Kedarnath darshan, because the same deity is worshipped here in winter. It is a matter of faith, and many families do both over the years.

Do I need to trek to reach Omkareshwar Temple?

No. Ukhimath is a road town at about 1,311 m, and the temple is in the town. It is a good option for elders who cannot do the Kedarnath trek.

Is Tungnath also worshipped at Ukhimath?

No. Tungnath’s winter seat is Makkumath. Only Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar are worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in winter.

What are the aarti timings at Omkareshwar Temple?

We could not confirm official timings, and they can change in winter. Please check with the temple office or a local priest when you arrive.

When will the Kedarnath opening date for 2027 be announced?

By tradition the date is announced at the Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, on Mahashivratri. In 2026 it was announced on 15 February, Mahashivratri day.

Is Kedarnath open in winter?

No. Kedarnath temple closes every winter on Bhai Dooj because of heavy snow, and in 2026 the doors closed on 11 November at about 8:30 am. Baba Kedar’s worship moves to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where the doli arrived on 13 November 2026. Darshan continues there until Kedarnath reopens in spring.

Why is Kedarnath temple closed in winter?

Snow shuts the high Himalayan shrine and its trek route for about six months, so the doors are closed after Diwali, on Bhai Dooj. Worship does not stop: Baba Kedar’s utsav doli is carried down to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, a road town at about 1,311 m, where daily puja continues through the winter.

Is Kedarnath open in December?

No. The main temple stays closed in December, January and the rest of winter. You can still have Baba Kedar’s darshan at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, which needs no trek. The 2027 opening date is expected to be announced there on Mahashivratri, 6 March 2027; the opening itself is expected (estimate) roughly 9–12 May 2027. See our Kedarnath yatra package from Haridwar.

Related guide: see Kedarnath darshan and aarti timings, including winter darshan at Ukhimath.