The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand runs for approximately six months each year — As the snow melts away and gives way for the blissful spring season to shine through, the temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri open their gates for the devotees to arrive and complete the 4 Dham Yatra. Each year devout Hindu pilgrims from across the world make it a point to complete the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter or roadways to achieve moksha or the ultimate freedom.
Best Months to Visit
Chardhams remains closed during winter months (November to Early April) due to heavy snowfall. The peak pilgrimage months to visit the holy Chardhams are summer months (Mid-April to June) and autumn months (September to October). Avoid Monsoon season (July–August) as the heavy rains, landslides and slippery roads might make travel unsafe for pilgrims.
Date Announcement Process of Char Dhams
Opening Date Announcement
- As a part of traditions, the opening dates are decided and announced by the head priest of the Char Dham Temples on the holy day of Basant Panchami.
- Yamunotri and Gangotri traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath and Badrinath open on separate dates announced on Maha Shivratri and Basant Panchami respectively — usually 2 to 4 days after Akshaya Tritiya.
Closing Date Announcement
- When it comes to the closing dates, they all close on different dates but on holy occasions like Bhai Dooj and Diwali.
- These opening and closing dates are fixed after reading the Hindu calendar or the Panchang and are declared to the devotees by the Char Dham Temple committee along with the Kedar Badri Mandir Samiti.
Note– Keep in mind that the doors of Char Dham open for Darshan for a very limited period so devotees should book their Char Dham Yatra Packages way beforehand.
Yatra Registration 2026
Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026 — Mandatory for All Pilgrims
Online registration at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in is compulsory for all four dhams. After confirming your travel dates, register immediately — slots for May and June fill up fast. Print the Yatra Pass and carry it throughout the journey. Checkpoints at Sonprayag (Kedarnath), Pandukeshwar (Badrinath), and temple entry points verify it. Arriving without a valid pass means you will be turned back.
Key points about registration:
- Register at: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in (official Uttarakhand government portal)
- Offline registration counters available at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Sonprayag, and Joshimath — but very crowded in peak season
- Carry a printed Yatra Pass — digital copies may not be accepted at all checkpoints
- Medical fitness certificate required for pilgrims above 60 years of age
Chardham Yatra Opening Closing Dates 2026
| Char Dham Temple | Opening Date 2026 | Opening Time | Closing Date 2026 | Closing Festival |
| Yamunotri Mandir | 19 April 2026 | As per muhurat | 11 November 2026 (Tentative) | Next Day of Diwali |
| Gangotri Mandir | 19 April 2026 | As per muhurat | 10 November 2026 (Tentative) | Bhai Dooj (2 days after Diwali) |
| Kedarnath Mandir | 22 April 2026 | 8:00 AM | 11 November 2026 (Tentative) | Bhai Dooj (2 days after Diwali) |
| Badrinath Mandir | 23 April 2026 | 6:15 AM | 13 November 2026 (Tentative) | ~2–3 weeks after Diwali (BKTC decides) |
Historical Opening Dates (2023–2026) for Reference:
| Temple | 2023 Opening | 2024 Opening | 2025 Opening | 2026 Opening |
| Yamunotri | 22 April | 10 May | 26 April | 19 April |
| Gangotri | 22 April | 10 May | 26 April | 19 April |
| Kedarnath | 25 April | 10 May | 2 May | 22 April |
| Badrinath | 27 April | 12 May | 4 May | 23 April |
Kedarnath Opening and Closing Dates
- Opening Date – 22 April 2026
- Closing Date – 11 November 2026 (Tentative)
- The opening date of Kedarnath Dham is announced on the holy occasion of Maha Shivratri which is set to take place on 15 February 2026.
- It opens its doors on Akshaya Tritiya and closes on Bhai Dooj — two days after Diwali, not on Diwali itself.
- The most secure, luxurious and easiest way of reaching Kedarnath Dham is via a helicopter package for Kedarnath.
Winter Home Of Lord Kedar — Once the doors of Kedarnath shut down, the presiding deity of the temple is transferred to his winter home in Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district for the rest of the season. Puja continues at Ukhimath through the winter months. The temple there is called Omkareshwar Temple — pilgrims who cannot visit Kedarnath during season can offer prayers here.
Badrinath Opening and Closing Dates
- Opening Date – 23 April 2026
- Closing Date – 13 November 2026 (Tentative)
Badrinath is located at 3,293 m in Chamoli district and is directly accessible by road — no trek is required. The Joshimath–Badrinath stretch (45 km) is the last road leg and takes about 1.5–2 hours.
Winter Home Of Badri Vishal – As the snow envelopes the Badri Kshetra, the idol of Lord Badri is transferred to his winter home in Joshimath among great excitement and fun singing and dancing. During his stay at his winter home, pilgrims continued to visit and offer their prayers to the Lord.
Gangotri Opening and Closing Dates
- Opening Date – Akshaya Tritiya, 19 April 2026
- Closing Date – 10 November 2026 (Tentative)
Gangotri is accessible directly by road from Uttarkashi (~100 km). No trek required — the temple is at the road-head at 3,415 m.
Winter Home Of Gangotri — The nearby village of Mukhba is the winter abode of Goddess Ganga. Pilgrims looking for the blessings of Ganga Mata can continue their pilgrimage by going to Mukhba during the winter months. Mukhba is located ~20 km from Gangotri, near Harsil village in Uttarkashi district.
Yamunotri Opening and Closing Dates
- Opening Date – Akshaya Tritiya, 19 April 2026
- Closing Date – 11 November 2026 (Tentative)
The Yamunotri trek is 6 km one-way from Janki Chatti to the temple. It takes 3–4 hours going up. It is believed that taking a dip in the Yamuna River will rid you of your sins.
Winter Home of Yamunotri — The winter home of Goddess Yamunotri is Kharsali located in Uttarkashi district at a small Shani Dev Temple. It is also known as Khushimath. Since the temple of Yamunotri is inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfall, pilgrims visit Kharsali at the Shani Dev Temple to get the divine blessings of Goddess Yamuna.
After Confirming Your Dates: What Next?
Once you have your travel dates, here is the order of things to do:
- Step 1 — Register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Do this before booking anything else. Peak season (May–June) slots are limited.
- Step 2 — Book accommodation at Guptkashi (for Kedarnath base), Barkot (Yamunotri base), Uttarkashi (Gangotri base), and Joshimath (Badrinath base). These fill up 3–4 weeks before peak season.
- Step 3 — If opting for helicopter, book through heliyatra.irctc.co.in for Kedarnath. Full Char Dham helicopter packages book through registered operators.
- Step 4 — Arrange transport — private car/taxi from Haridwar or Rishikesh is the most convenient. Shared cabs and buses are available but add travel time.
- Step 5 — Carry the right documents: printed Yatra Pass, government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport), and a medical certificate if above 60 years of age.
FAQ
Q1. Why are the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand significant?
Char Dhams are significant for Hindu devotees as they are considered the holiest pilgrimage destinations in India for spiritual salvation and attaining Moksha according to Hindu belief. Devotees from all over India undertake this challenging journey for spiritual purification and self-discovery.
Q2. Who can do the Char Dham Yatra?
There is no official age restriction for Char Dham darshan. Children below 5 years and senior citizens above 60 years must undertake a medical check-up before the journey. A medical fitness certificate is required at registration for pilgrims above 60.
Q3. What are the opening dates of Char Dhams for 2026?
The confirmed 2026 opening dates are: Yamunotri — 19 April, Gangotri — 19 April, Kedarnath — 22 April, Badrinath — 23 April. Opening dates are decided on Maha Shivratri (Kedarnath) and Basant Panchami (Badrinath) each year.
Q4. What are the closing dates of Char Dhams for 2026?
The tentative 2026 closing dates are: Gangotri — 10 November (Diwali), Yamunotri — 11 November (Diwali), Kedarnath — 11 November (Bhai Dooj), Badrinath — 13 November (~2 weeks after Diwali, set by BKTC). Note: Char Dham temples do NOT close on Vijayadashami.
Q5. How are the accommodation options at Char Dhams?
In Chardhams, don't expect luxury accommodations as the sites are located in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Basic amenities and meals are available at hotels and guesthouses. Ashrams, Dharamshalas and tented accommodation are available at most dhams and offer a simpler, more spiritual experience.
Q6. What is the recommended route/order for Char Dham Yatra?
The recommended route for Char Dham Yatra is: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath. Haridwar and Rishikesh are the major gateways to start the journey.
Q7. How long is Char Dham Yatra?
Generally, it takes 10–14 days to cover the Char Dham Yatra by road at a comfortable pace. For those with limited time, helicopter packages can cover all four dhams in 5–7 days.
Q8. Is online registration mandatory for Char Dham Yatra 2026?
Yes — registration is compulsory for all four dhams. Register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before your travel date. You will receive a Yatra Pass which must be printed and carried throughout the yatra. Checkpoints verify it at Sonprayag (Kedarnath route) and on the Badrinath highway. Walk-in counters are available at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Sonprayag, and Joshimath but get very crowded during May–June peak season.
Q9. Can the Char Dham opening or closing dates change after announcement?
Yes, tentative closing dates can shift by a few days based on astrological calculations finalised closer to the date. The BKTC (Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee) confirms exact closing dates a few weeks before Diwali each year. Always verify the final dates at bktc.net or the official Uttarakhand government portal before booking your return journey.
Q10. What happens at the winter homes of the Char Dham deities?
When each temple closes for winter, the deity's idol is ceremonially moved to a designated winter home in the valley where puja continues throughout the season. Kedarnath's deity moves to Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple, Rudraprayag). Badrinath's idol moves to Pandukeshwar village (near Joshimath). Gangotri's Goddess Ganga moves to Mukhba village (Uttarkashi). Yamunotri's Goddess Yamuna moves to Kharsali village (also called Khushimath, Uttarkashi). Pilgrims can visit these locations through the winter for darshan.
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