Kedarnath opening date 2026 announced: Full Char Dham schedule for Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri revealed
The auspicious date and time were finalized on the occasion of Mahashivratri at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the temple’s winter abode.
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date Finalized on Mahashivratri 2026
According to Harish Gaur, Public Relations Officer, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the Kedarnath temple opening date of 2026 was decided after special rituals and prayers.
Religious scholars and priests calculated 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 magnificent decorations, including about nine and a half five flowers. Rawal Bhimashankar Ling (chief priest of Kedarnath), Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, officials, religious leaders and hundreds of devotees attended the event.
Devotees prayed, chanted “Jai Baba Kedar” and attended community feasts organized by donors.
Char Dham Yatra 2026 Dates Announced
With the confirmation of Kedarnath temple reopening date of 2026, the entire Char Dham Yatra 2026 program has also been completed. Important dates are as follows:
- Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026: 22 April 2026
- Badrinath Temple Opening Date 2026: 23 April 2026
- Gangotri Temple Opening Date 2026: 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)
- Yamunotri Temple Opening Date 2026: 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)
The reopening of these shrines marks the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, which attracts thousands of devotees from across India and abroad every year.
Why Does Kedarnath Temple Close During Winter?
Kedarnath Temple remains closed for nearly six months due to extreme winter conditions in the Garhwal Himalayas. During this period, Lord Kedarnath is worshiped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, known as the winter abode of the god.
As temperatures rise in April, the temple doors reopen with elaborate rituals, signaling the beginning of the pilgrimage season.
Kedarnath Yatra 2026: What Devotees Need to Know
With Kedarnath Yatra 2026 starting on April 22, pilgrims are advised to:
- Complete your registration for Char Dham Yatra in advance
- Check weather updates and travel advisories
- Arrange accommodation early due to high demand
- Follow government and temple rules for a hassle-free pilgrimage
The announcement of Kedarnath’s opening date of 2026 has sparked excitement among devotees who are eagerly awaiting the spiritual journey to the revered Himalayan temple.
As the temple bells toll once again on April 22, thousands of people will gather to seek the blessings of Baba Kedar, marking the beginning of another holy season of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.
Input from agencies
