Char Dham Closing Dates 2026: When Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri Close

The Char Dham closing dates 2026 have been announced. The Gangotri kapat closes on 10 November, Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on 11 November, and the Badrinath closing date is 16 November at 9:37 PM. The dates were announced on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026, by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. If you are planning your last yatra of the season, here are the closing times, winter seats and travel tips you need before the temples shut for winter.

Timings are as announced by the temple committees and priests. Please confirm closer to the date.

Char Dham closing dates 2026

• Gangotri: 10 November, on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), at 12:05 PM
• Yamunotri: 11 November, on Bhai Dooj, at 10:28 AM
• Kedarnath: 11 November, on Bhai Dooj, at 8:30 AM
• Badrinath: 16 November, at 9:37 PM

Some travel websites listed 13 November as a tentative date for Badrinath earlier this year. The official date announced on Vijayadashami is 16 November.

Badrinath: Panch Puja schedule (12 to 16 November)

Before Badrinath closes, five days of traditional Panch Puja are held:

• 12 November: Special worship of Lord Ganesh; the Ganesh temple closes in the evening.
• 13 November: Adi Kedareshwar Temple and Adi Guru Shankaracharya Temple close.
• 14 November: Recital of Vedic hymns and Khadg Pustak worship in the sanctum ends.
• 15 November: Kadhai Bhog is offered to Goddess Lakshmi, and the Rawal invites her to sit beside Lord Narayan in the sanctum.
• 16 November: Goddess Lakshmi is seated in the sanctum, and the doors close at 9:37 PM.
• 17 November: The doli of Uddhav ji and Kuber ji, with the gaddi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, leaves for Pandukeshwar, and Garuda ji goes to the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.

Other Panch Kedar closing dates

• Tungnath: 6 November (the doli reaches Makkumath on 8 November)
• Madmaheshwar: 16 November (the doli reaches Ukhimath on 19 November)

Why do the temples close every winter?

These shrines sit at very high altitudes, roughly between 3,000 and 3,600 metres above sea level. From November onwards, heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and landslide risk make the routes unsafe, and the temples stay closed for roughly six months. They reopen in April or May, usually around Akshaya Tritiya.

Does worship stop when the doors close?

No. The deities are carried in a ceremonial procession (doli) to their winter seats at lower altitudes, and worship continues there all winter:

• Yamunotri: Mother Yamuna’s doli goes to Kharsali village.
• Gangotri: Mother Ganga’s doli goes to Mukhba (Mukhwa) village.
• Kedarnath: Lord Kedarnath’s doli travels via Phata and Guptkashi to the Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.
• Badrinath: Winter worship continues at Pandukeshwar and the Narsingh Temple, Joshimath.

Many travellers visit these winter seats. The crowds are smaller, the atmosphere is peaceful, and it is a good option if you missed the main season.

Travelling before the kapat closes? Read this first

The last weeks before closing can be beautiful, with crisp air and snow-capped peaks. They are also the coldest and most unpredictable.

1. Book early. Hotels, taxis and helicopter slots fill up fast near the closing dates.
2. Complete your registration. Yatra registration is mandatory. Keep a printed or digital copy with you.
3. Pack for real cold. Carry thermals, a heavy jacket, woollen cap, gloves, warm socks, a raincoat and good shoes.
4. Keep your plan flexible. Early snow or rain can delay roads and helicopters, so add a spare day.
5. Start early each day. Mountain weather is usually clearer in the morning, and darshan queues are shorter.
6. Look after your health. Drink plenty of water, go slowly, and carry your regular medicines, especially if you travel with elders or children.
7. Confirm the dates before you leave. Timings can shift with weather or temple committee decisions.

Suggested route

The traditional route is Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. Since Gangotri closes on 10 November and Yamunotri and Kedarnath on 11 November, plan to reach those three before Badrinath, which stays open until 16 November. If you are short on days, our team can build a route around the dhams you most want to see. You can browse our Char Dham Yatra packages from Haridwar, Delhi, Mumbai and more.

Frequently asked questions

When does Kedarnath close in 2026?
On 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj) at 8:30 AM.When does Badrinath close in 2026?
On 16 November 2026 at 9:37 PM, the last of the four dhams to close.

When do Gangotri and Yamunotri close?
Gangotri on 10 November at 12:05 PM and Yamunotri on 11 November at 10:28 AM.

Can I still have darshan after the temples close?
You cannot enter the main shrines, but you can visit the winter seats at Kharsali, Mukhba, Ukhimath and Pandukeshwar/Joshimath.

When will the temples reopen?
In April or May, depending on the Hindu calendar, usually starting around Akshaya Tritiya.