Kedarnath Dham Opening Date 2026

Kedarnath Temple is a sacred site of Lord Shiva, welcoming thousands of worshipers annually. The shrine is one of the most important in Hinduism and is located in the snow-covered Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is among the twelve Jyotirlingas, and an important stop on the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.

Annual Pilgrimage Cycle of Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple opens for six months only. Due to the intense snow and cold weather conditions during winter, pilgrims are only able to access the temple for about half a year annually.

• Opening and Closing – It generally opens late in April or early in May and closes in October or November.
• Announcement Process-The date of opening is selected on the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri, and the closing date is selected at around Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali.
• Kedarnath temple Winter Seat- During winters, the main idol is temporarily moved out of Kedarnath to Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath, to ensure the safety of pilgrims and support staff, and preserve an ancient tradition. This ritual is essential for the preservation of temple and deity and also represents the cyclical nature of pilgrimage, devotion and arrival of different seasons.

Kedarnath Temple Opening Closing Dates

Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026	Kedarnath Temple Closing Date 2026
22 April 2026 (Tentative)	11 November 2026 (tentative)

Kedarnath Temple Timing

Kedarnath Temple	Duration
Morning Arti Timing	04:00 AM – 07:00 AM
Morning General Darshan Time	07:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Evening Arti Timing	06:00 PM – 07:30 PM
Evening General Darshan Time	05:00 PM – 07:00 PM

Ceremonies Performed for Opening and Closing of Kedarnath Temple

Kapat Opening Ceremony of Kedarnath Dham –

• The temple activities are guided by traditional ceremonies. A small musical procession transports the idol of Lord Shiva (Utsav Doli) to Kedarnath for a few days before the Opening Day.
• Upon arrival, the temple, largely covered with flowers, is cleansed. Then the chief priest (Rawal) returns the idol to the inner sanctum (Garbha Griha). Then the doors open at a special time (Muhurat) for thousands of pilgrims waiting inside.

Kapat Closing Ceremony of Kedarnath Dham –

• A final ceremony is known as Kapat-band, which occurs on Bhai-Dooj. When the final Aarti (lamp worship) is finished, the idol (Vigraha) is transported to the Ukhimath winter temple. Then the priests take a lamp (Akhand Jyot), which burns continuously for six months in the locked temple.
• This demonstrates that the divine is even in the cold and unfriendly winter when the temple is shut. This is how the pilgrimage season gets over.

Best Months for Visiting Kedarnath Dham

The peak pilgrimage season for Kedarnath Dham runs from May to June and September to early November. Avoid Monsoon months (July- September) as the heavy rain might make the trekking path slippery and you may also witness landslides. Kedarnath Temple is closed in winters (Mid November to April) due to heavy snowfall.

What to Pack

No matter the season, Kedarnath Dham is located in high-altitude Himalayan region so always pack warm clothes, woolens, sweaters, jackets. The temperature might drop to zero degrees at night. Wear comfortable trekking shoes with sturdy soles. For sun protection, carry essential medications, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1: When is the opening of Kedarnath Temple in 2026?
Ans: The Kedarnath pilgrimage site will open during the last week of April. Nevertheless, the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee will soon release the date when the Kedarnath temple will open in the year 2026.

Q-2: On what day will the idol of the Kedarnath Temple be taken to the winter abode?
Ans: Winter closing of Kedarnath in 2026 would occur approximately during the last week of October.

Q-3: Who decides when the Kedarnath Temple will be opened and closed?
Ans: The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee and the priests of Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath set these dates. They also determine the opening and closing periods using the Hindu Panchang and the astrological calculations.

• To find out more, a person can visit: https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in

Q-4: Why does the Kedarnath Temple close down in winter?
Ans: The temple cannot be visited in winter due to heavy snowfall and very low temperatures. The idol of Lord Kedarnath is moved to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath to enable people to keep on praying.

Q-5: But how should we know when the temple is open and when it is closed?
Ans: Visit the official site of Uttarakhand Tourism, or follow through social media or news sites, the Badri‑Kedar Temple Committee. Another option would be to see the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) pages on different social media for Kedarnath Temple updates 2026.

Q-6: How difficult will it be to come to the pilgrimage with my grandparents?
Ans: Kedarnath temple trek may be difficult for senior citizens and physically challenged persons. They have the option of pony or palanquin rides or reserve Kedarnath Yatra helicopter tour packages.

Q-7: Can we not visit this sacred shrine of Lord Shiva during the monsoons?
Ans: Yes, during the monsoon you can visit, but keep rain gear and an additional budget in place in case of an emergency like a landslide or road blockage.

Q-8: How to plan Kedarnath Yatra?
Ans: First select the date of darshan for Kedarnath yatra then register your Yatra on government portal. You can book our Kedarnath Tour packages for hassle free pilgrimage tour.