Yamunotri Closing Date 2026 (Closed 11 Nov) and Opening Date 2027

Facts checked November 2026.

Yamunotri, the dham of Maa Yamuna, is traditionally the first stop of the Char Dham yatra, and the last part of the way is a walk from Janki Chatti. Its doors open and close on fixed festivals, but the English dates change every year because they follow the panchang. Below are the confirmed dates for this season, how the muhurat is fixed at Kharsali, a table of recent years and the practical points that matter for a family yatra. The Char Dham opening and closing dates page compares all four dhams.

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

When does Yamunotri open?

Yamunotri opens on Akshaya Tritiya, on the same day as Gangotri. In 2026 the doors opened on Sunday, 19 April 2026, at 12:35 pm. The priests chose the time from that day’s lagna, nakshatra and yoga (Karka lagna, Kritika nakshatra and Ayushman yoga).

The morning begins at Kharsali. In 2026 the doli of Maa Yamuna left the village at 8:45 am to the sound of drums and chants. Shani Dev’s palanquin, known locally as Someshwar Maharaj and revered as Yamuna’s brother, travels with her to Yamunotri to see her off.

Yamunotri opening date 2027: not announced yet.

• Expected: 9 May 2027 (Akshaya Tritiya, per Drik Panchang for New Delhi). This is an estimate, not a confirmed date. The exact time will be declared at Kharsali on Yamuna Jayanti in spring 2027.

When does Yamunotri close?

Yamunotri closes on Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), two days after Diwali in most years. The festival fits the shrine: Yamuna and Yama are sister and brother, and Bhai Dooj celebrates that bond. In 2026 the kapat closed at 10:28 am on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, fixed by the temple committee and priests and confirmed by committee secretary Sunil Uniyal. After the closing rituals, the doli of Maa Yamuna returns to Kharsali for the winter.

Yamunotri closing date 2027: not announced yet.

• Expected: 31 October 2027, the date Drik Panchang (New Delhi) gives for Bhai Dooj. Estimate; the time is usually fixed on Vijayadashami, which falls on 9 October 2027.

How is the Yamunotri date decided?

The festival for each event is fixed by tradition. Each year the priests of Kharsali, together with the Yamunotri temple committee, work out the precise muhurat from the panchang and announce it.

• Opening time: announced on Yamuna Jayanti at Kharsali, the goddess’s winter home. In 2026 the committee announced the 12:35 pm opening on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
• Closing time: decided on Vijayadashami (Dussehra). In 2026 the committee and the priests met at the Yamunotri shrine on Vijayadashami and fixed the Bhai Dooj closing for 10:28 am.
• Why it matters to you: until those two announcements, every date you see online, including ours, is only an estimate.

Yamunotri opening and closing dates by year

The 2026 row follows the official announcements; earlier rows follow news reports of each season. We show a time only where a report gave one clearly.

In every year shown, Yamunotri closed one day after Gangotri, on the same day as Kedarnath. Note the closing time is not fixed either: 12:30 pm in 2025, 10:28 am in 2026.

Where is Maa Yamuna worshipped in winter?

For the six winter months, Maa Yamuna lives at Kharsali (also called Khushimath), a village close to Janki Chatti, just below the Yamunotri trek. By local tradition she is welcomed back each Bhai Dooj like a daughter coming home, and worship continues daily at the Yamuna temple in the village. Kharsali is also known for its old Shani Dev temple. Our Kharsali guide explains how to reach the village. Winter darshan here is possible when the road is open; see our winter Char Dham darshan update before you plan.

Planning around the Yamunotri dates

For the trek, Surya Kund and road distances, see our Yamunotri temple guide.

The walk from Janki Chatti

Like Kedarnath, Yamunotri cannot be reached by road all the way. From Janki Chatti, the walk to the temple is about 5 km one way, so about 10 km there and back. Yatris walk the path or go by pony, palki or kandi. Elders should start early in the morning, carry warm layers and water, and allow a full day for the climb, darshan at the temple and Surya Kund, and the return.

Early and late season

• First days: many groups begin their Char Dham yatra here, so the path is busy with walkers and ponies in the opening week. A week or two later is usually easier.
• Diwali week: the last few days before Bhai Dooj bring many devotees for a final darshan. Rooms at Janki Chatti and Barkot can be hard to find.
• Snow: by late October and November, nights are freezing and an early snowfall can make the path slippery or stop the yatra for a day. Keep a spare day.

Useful reading

• Gangotri and Yamunotri yatra guide, for route and timing between the two dhams.
• Char Dham registration guide, since registration is needed before you set out.
• Best time for Char Dham yatra, month by month.
• Gangotri and Yamunotri closing 2026, for this season’s final days.

Related guides: Gangotri and Yamunotri weather by month

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our team plans dharmik yatras in Uttarakhand with the Yamunotri walk in mind: early starts, ponies or palki arranged where needed, and a buffer day for weather. Road Char Dham yatras begin and end at Haridwar. Look at the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar or all our Char Dham yatras, and call or WhatsApp us to match a departure to the kapat dates.

Frequently asked questions

When will Yamunotri open in 2027?

The 2027 date has not been announced. Yamunotri opens on Akshaya Tritiya, expected on 9 May 2027, and the exact time is declared on Yamuna Jayanti at Kharsali. Until then, treat 9 May as an expected date only.

What time does Yamunotri close in 2026?

The doors closed at 10:28 am on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, which is Bhai Dooj. After that the goddess’s doli goes to Kharsali.

Why does Yamunotri close on Bhai Dooj?

Bhai Dooj is also called Yama Dwitiya. In tradition, Yamuna is the sister of Yama, and this festival honours brothers and sisters, so it is the day the goddess leaves her summer shrine.

Does Yamunotri close on the same day as Kedarnath?

In recent years, yes. Both close on Bhai Dooj, while Gangotri closes a day earlier on Annakut and Badrinath closes later in November.

Can elderly parents do the Yamunotri yatra?

Many seniors do it with a pony, palki or kandi from Janki Chatti. Check with your doctor first, avoid the opening and closing weeks if you can, and keep a rest day after the walk.

Where can I have Yamuna darshan in winter?

At the Yamuna temple in Kharsali (Khushimath), near Janki Chatti, where the goddess is worshipped daily from Bhai Dooj until Akshaya Tritiya.