Religious TourismThe Char Dham opening dates 2026 are confirmed for all four temples in Uttarakhand. Yamunotri and Gangotri open on April 19, Kedarnath opens on April 22, and Badrinath opens on April 23. These dates come from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), the body that governs the yatra each year.
If you’re planning to book flights, a hotel, or a helicopter slot around these dates, you’re in the right place. We’ll walk you through what’s confirmed, what’s still tentative, and what to do next.
Quick Answer: Char Dham 2026 Key Facts
- Yamunotri and Gangotri open on April 19, 2026, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya.
- Kedarnath opens on April 22, 2026, and Badrinath opens on April 23, 2026.
- Closing dates fall between mid-October and mid-November 2026, but BKTC confirms exact closing dates only a few weeks before Diwali.
- Registration through the Uttarakhand Tourism portal is mandatory for all four dhams in 2026.
Char Dham Opening and Closing Dates 2026
The Char Dham Yatra follows a fixed, clockwise route. Pilgrims start at Yamunotri, move to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and finish at Badrinath. Each temple’s opening date is tied to a specific Hindu festival, which is why the dates shift slightly every year.
| Temple | Opening Date 2026 | Announced On | Closing Date 2026 (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | April 19 | Akshaya Tritiya | Mid-November |
| Gangotri | April 19 | Akshaya Tritiya | Early-to-mid November |
| Kedarnath | April 22 | Maha Shivratri | Mid-November |
| Badrinath | April 23 | Basant Panchami | Mid-to-late November |
Yamunotri and Gangotri traditionally open on Akshaya Tritiya, a Hindu festival that falls in April. Kedarnath’s opening date is announced during Maha Shivratri celebrations, and Badrinath’s is announced on Basant Panchami. Both fall a few weeks before the temples actually open.
Why You May Have Seen Different Dates Online
Conflicting dates have been circulating online for Badrinath’s closing day in particular. This happens because closing dates for Badrinath temple are typically finalized only a few weeks before Diwali each year, so early estimates get published and never get corrected. Treat any Char Dham closing date before October as a planning estimate, not a booking-ready fact, and check the official BKTC website closer to Diwali for the final confirmation.
How Are Char Dham Opening Dates Decided Each Year?
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee sets and announces the official opening dates for Kedarnath and Badrinath each year. Temple priests and astrologers finalize the dates using the Hindu Panchang, or lunar calendar, then the committee makes a public announcement on the associated festival day.
For Kedarnath specifically, the process works like this:
- On Maha Shivratri, priests and BKTC officials announce the exact opening date.
- The idol of Lord Shiva is carried in a procession from Ukhimath, its winter home, back to Kedarnath.
- The temple opens to pilgrims on the announced date, usually in late April or early May.
Kedarnath’s presiding deity moves to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath during the winter closure period, and it returns to the main shrine only once the opening date is confirmed and the procession takes place.
Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026: What You Need to Know
Registration is mandatory for all four dhams in 2026, and this is the step most first-time pilgrims underestimate. Book it before you finalize your flights, not after. Our complete Char Dham Yatra registration guide walks you through the entire process step by step
Here’s what the registration process involves:
- Register online at the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
- Print your Yatra Pass once your registration is confirmed. Digital copies are not accepted at every checkpoint.
- Carry your pass through checkpoints, including Sonprayag for Kedarnath and Pandukeshwar for Badrinath.
- Offline registration counters exist at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Sonprayag, and Joshimath, but they get crowded fast during May and June.
The common mistake we see: travelers book their flights and hotels first, then try to register two or three weeks before departure and find May and June slots already full. Register the moment your travel dates are locked, even before you’ve picked a hotel.
What Does a Char Dham Yatra Package Cost in 2026?
Char Dham package prices vary widely depending on route, duration, and whether you travel by road or helicopter. Here’s a rough breakdown based on what Indian pilgrims typically book:
| Package Type | Duration | Approximate Price (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Single dham, budget, by road | 4 to 6 days | ₹8,000 to ₹17,500 |
| Full Char Dham, by road | 10 to 12 days | ₹24,000 to ₹36,000 |
| Full Char Dham, by helicopter | 4 to 5 days | ₹1,50,000 to ₹1,90,000 |
Road packages cost less but take longer, since the drive between temples through the Garhwal Himalayas involves winding mountain roads. Helicopter packages cut the trip down to under a week but book out fastest around the opening dates, so reserve your slot through IRCTC’s Heliyatra platform or a registered operator as soon as dates are confirmed.
Best Time to Visit Kedarnath in 2026
The best time to visit Kedarnath in 2026 is mid-May through June, or September through early October. The opening week itself, April 22 to early May, still carries residual snow and cold temperatures at altitude.
If you’re traveling during opening week, pack for near-freezing mornings even though it’s technically spring in the plains. July and August bring monsoon rains and landslide risk on the mountain roads, so we generally steer clients away from that window.
When Should You Book Flights and Trains?
Once you know your Char Dham dates, work backward from there for travel bookings.
- Flights: Book into Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, the nearest major air gateway for the yatra. Fares from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad rise sharply once April opening dates are confirmed each year.
- Trains: Haridwar and Rishikesh are the main rail gateways. Most pilgrims start their road journey from one of these two cities.
- Local Transport: Private taxis from Haridwar or Rishikesh are the most convenient option for reaching the temple bases.
We’ve helped hundreds of Indian travelers time their Char Dham bookings around the official BKTC announcement instead of guessing, and it consistently saves them money on both flights and hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to visit Kedarnath in 2026?
Mid-May to June and September to early October are the best windows. Avoid July and August due to monsoon rain and landslide risk, and pack warm layers if you’re visiting during opening week in late April.
What is the price of a Char Dham Yatra package in 2026?
Budget road packages for a single dham start around ₹8,000 per person. A full Char Dham road package for 10 to 12 days typically runs ₹24,000 to ₹36,000 per person, while helicopter packages covering all four temples in under a week cost ₹1,50,000 to ₹1,90,000 per person.
Is Badrinath Yatra open in 2026?
Yes. Badrinath opened on April 23, 2026, following its announcement on Basant Panchami. The temple will close for winter sometime in November, though BKTC confirms the exact closing date only a few weeks before Diwali.
How is the Kedarnath Temple opening date decided in 2026?
BKTC and temple priests announce Kedarnath’s opening date on Maha Shivratri each year, based on the Hindu Panchang. Once announced, the idol travels in procession from its winter home in Ukhimath back to Kedarnath, and the temple opens to pilgrims on that confirmed date.
Planning Your Char Dham Yatra?
Now that you have the confirmed 2026 dates, the next step is locking in your registration and travel dates before the May and June rush.
WanderOnClick puts together Char Dham packages by road and helicopter, built around your budget and travel dates. Drop us an email on info@wanderonclick.com or send us your query via a message on WhatsApp and we’ll help you map out a plan that fits your dates and your budget.
