Char Dham Yatra opening date sets the timeline for travel, bookings and on-ground arrangements each year. The Yatra officially begins on Akshaya Tritiya, which usually falls in late April or early May. On this day, Yamunotri and Gangotri temples open together, marking the formal start of the pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand.
The opening dates of the remaining temple – Kedarnath and Badrinath – are announced separately, following long-standing religious traditions. Kedarnath’s opening date is declared on Maha Shivratri at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, while Badrinath’s date is announced on Basant Panchami at Joshimath. These decisions are taken by temple committees, religious scholars and local priests, based on the Hindu calendar and traditional customs – not by tourism departments.
In this guide, you’ll find fact-checked, expected Char Dham yatra opening and closing dates for 2026, explained temple by temple. For pilgrims, these dates are not symbolic. They decide when roads open fully, when helicopter services start operating, when hotels become functional, and when government yatra registration goes live.
Char Dham Yatra Opening Date 2026 – Temple-wise Announcement
| Temple | Opening Date (2026 – Expected) | Closing Date (2026 – Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri Temple | 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) | 22 October 2026 (Bhai Dooj) |
| Gangotri Temple | 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya) | 22 October 2026 (Bhai Dooj) |
| Kedarnath Temple | 22 April 2026 (Tentative) | 14 November 2026 |
| Badrinath Temple | 24 April 2026 (Tentative) | 18 November 2026 |
Yamunotri Temple Opening & Closing Date 2026
Yamunotri Temple opens on 19 April 2026, marking the official beginning of the Char Dham Yatra season. The opening date is decided based on the Hindu calendar and temple rituals, usually aligned with Akshaya Tritiya. The temple remains open for darshan until Bhai Dooj, after which winter closure rituals are performed. The exact closing date is announced closer to the time by the temple priests, based on religious calculations.
Expected dates for Yamunotri Temple 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening | 19 April 2026 |
| Temple Closing | 10–11 November 2026 (Tentative) |
Useful points for pilgrims
- Temple opens on 19 April 2026, officially starting the Char Dham Yatra season
- Opening date follows Hindu calendar calculations and temple rituals
- Temple remains open throughout the yatra season
- Closes on Bhai Dooj, marking the end of worship for the year
- Exact closing date is confirmed through the final priestly announcement
Gangotri Temple Opening & Closing Date 2026
Gangotri Temple also opens on 19 April 2026, the same day as Yamunotri. The opening follows traditional religious customs. Gangotri remains open for worship until Bhai Dooj, when the seasonal closure ceremonies take place. The final closing date depends on the official priestly announcement made near the end of the yatra season.
Expected dates for Gangotri Temple 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening | 19 April 2026 |
| Temple Closing | 10–11 November 2026 (Tentative) |
Useful points for pilgrims
- Temple opens on 19 April 2026, the same day as Yamunotri
- Opening date is fixed based on traditional religious customs
- Remains open for darshan during the full yatra window
- Seasonal closure takes place on Bhai Dooj
- Final closing date depends on the official announcement by temple priests
Kedarnath Temple Opening & Closing Date 2026
Kedarnath Temple opening date for 2026 is expected around 22 April (tentative). The final opening date is announced on Maha Shivratri at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. Kedarnath remains open for darshan until Bhai Dooj, after which winter rituals begin. The exact closing date is confirmed through the final announcement by the temple priests.
Expected dates for Kedarnath Temple 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening | 22 April 2026 (Tentative) |
| Temple Closing | 12–13 November 2026 (Tentative) |
Useful points for pilgrims
- Opening date for 2026 is expected around 22 April (tentative)
- Date is announced on Maha Shivratri from Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath
- Temple remains open only during the defined yatra season
- Closes on Bhai Dooj, following traditional closure rituals
- Exact date is confirmed later through priestly declaration
Badrinath Temple Opening & Closing Date 2026
Badrinath Temple opening date for 2026 is expected around 24 April (tentative). The date is announced on Basant Panchami at Joshimath, following traditional rituals. Among all four dhams, Badrinath usually remains accessible for the longest period. The precise closing date is announced later by the temple authorities, based on traditional priestly calculations.
Expected dates for Badrinath Temple 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening | 24 April 2026 (Tentative) |
| Temple Closing | 12–13 November 2026 (Tentative) |
Useful points for pilgrims
- Opening date for 2026 is expected around 24 April (tentative)
- Date is declared on Basant Panchami at Joshimath
- Temple stays open till the formal end of the yatra season
- Closure takes place on Bhai Dooj
- Final closing date is announced by temple authorities closer to the time
Final Word for Pilgrims Planning Char Dham Yatra 2026
Char Dham Yatra dates are rooted in tradition, not fixed calendars. While opening dates are declared well in advance, closing dates are always finalised around Bhai Dooj through official priestly announcements. Pilgrims should treat tentative dates as planning indicators and stay flexible near season end. For a smooth yatra, align bookings and travel timelines with these religious announcements rather than assumptions.
