Kedarnath opening date 2026 announced: Full Char Dham schedule for Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri revealed

Kedarnath opening date 2026 has been officially announced. The sacred Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand will reopen its doors to devotees on April 22, 2026, at 8:00 am, marking the end of its nearly six-month winter closure.

The auspicious date and time were finalised on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the shrine’s winter seat, the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026 Finalised on Mahashivratri

According to Harish Gaur, Public Relations Officer of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the Kedarnath temple opening date 2026 was decided after special rituals and prayers.


Religious scholars and priests calculated the muhurat (auspicious timing) using panchang (Hindu calendar) readings. Kedarnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, will welcome pilgrims from 8 am on April 22.

The ceremony at Omkareshwar Temple was marked by grand decorations, including nearly nine and a half quintals of flowers. The event was attended by Rawal Bhimashankar Ling (chief priest of Kedarnath), Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, officials, religious leaders and hundreds of devotees.

Devotees offered prayers, chanted “Jai Baba Kedar” and participated in community feasts organised by donors.

Char Dham Yatra 2026 Dates Announced

With the confirmation of the Kedarnath temple reopening date 2026, the full Char Dham Yatra 2026 schedule has also been finalised.

Here are the important dates:

• Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026: April 22, 2026
• Badrinath Temple Opening Date 2026: April 23, 2026
• Gangotri Temple Opening Date 2026: April 19, 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)
• Yamunotri Temple Opening Date 2026: April 19, 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)

The reopening of these shrines marks the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year.

Why Kedarnath Temple Closes During Winter

The Kedarnath Temple remains closed for nearly six months due to extreme winter conditions in the Garhwal Himalayas. During this period, Lord Kedarnath is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, known as the winter seat of the deity.

As temperatures improve in April, the temple gates are reopened with elaborate rituals, signalling the start of the pilgrimage season.

Kedarnath Yatra 2026: What Devotees Should Know

With the Kedarnath Yatra 2026 set to begin from April 22, pilgrims are advised to:

• Complete registration for the Char Dham Yatra in advance
• Check weather updates and travel advisories
• Arrange accommodation early due to high demand
• Follow government and temple guidelines for a smooth pilgrimage

The announcement of the Kedarnath opening date 2026 has sparked excitement among devotees eagerly awaiting the spiritual journey to the revered Himalayan shrine.

As the temple bells ring once again on April 22, thousands will gather to seek the blessings of Baba Kedar, marking the beginning of another sacred pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand.

Inputs from agencies