The Chardham Yatra — comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages in India's Himalayan terrain. Every year millions of devotees attempt this journey to seek divine blessings and spiritual fulfillment.

However, these temples are only accessible for a limited period of the year due to extreme winter weather at high altitudes. Knowing the exact opening and closing dates for 2026 is essential for planning flights, hotels, permits, trekking arrangements, and overall travel logistics.

This article provides verified opening & closing dates for 2026, daily temple timings where available, best travel windows, and practical planning tips.

Official Chardham Yatra Opening & Closing Dates 2026

According to multiple Indian pilgrimage and tourism sites, the 2026 Chardham Opening Dates are as follows (based on official committee notifications released ahead of Akshaya Tritiya 2026):

Temple	Opening Date (2026)	Closing Date (2026 – Tentative)
Yamunotri Temple	19 April 2026	1 November 2026
Gangotri Temple	19 April 2026	1 November 2026
Kedarnath Temple	22 April 2026	6 November 2026
Badrinath Temple	24 April 2026	6 November 2026

These dates are the official or widely published temple committee dates published ahead of Akshaya Tritiya 2026.

Why These Dates Matter

The Chardham temples are located at high elevations, where heavy snow closes mountain roads and footpaths from November through late March/April. The annual pilgrimage season is timed to coincide with Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious date on the Hindu calendar that signals new beginnings.

In 2026:

• Akshaya Tritiya falls on 19 April 2026, marking the ceremonial opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri.

• Following this, Kedarnath and Badrinath open a few days later to ensure safe access as snow clears. 

All dates remain tentative until officially confirmed by the respective temple committees, but these are widely quoted across travel and pilgrimage portals. 

Temple-wise Opening and Closing Dates 2026

1. Yamunotri Temple

???? Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, source of the Yamuna River.

• Opening: 19 April 2026 

• Closing: 1 November 2026 (tentative) 

Yamunotri marks the beginning of the Chardham journey. It is traditionally opened on Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious festival believed to bring lasting prosperity. 

2. Gangotri Temple

???? Sacred site at the source of the Ganges.

• Opening: 19 April 2026 

• Closing: 1 November 2026 (tentative) 

Just like Yamunotri, Gangotri opens on Akshaya Tritiya and is the second dham on the Chardham circuit. 

3. Kedarnath Temple

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.

• Opening: 22 April 2026 

• Closing: 6 November 2026 (tentative) 

Kedarnath opens later because of its higher altitude and longer snow clearance requirements. 

4. Badrinath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu; final dham on the pilgrimage.

• Opening: 24 April 2026 

• Closing: 6 November 2026 (tentative) 

Badrinath’s opening is traditionally scheduled a bit later due to road readiness and local rituals. 

Daily Temple Schedules for 2026 (Where Available)

Understanding daily temple timings helps pilgrims plan their darshan and travel days efficiently. These schedules can vary slightly year-to-year, but the following are widely published for 2026.

Yamunotri

• Morning Aarti: 06:00 AM

• Darshan: 07:00 AM – 02:00 PM

• Evening Aarti: 07:00 PM

• Evening Darshan: 03:00 PM – 08:00 PM 

Gangotri

• Morning Aarti: 06:00 AM – 07:30 AM

• Morning Darshan: 06:15 AM – 02:00 PM

• Evening Aarti: 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM

• Evening Darshan: 03:00 PM – 09:00 PM 

Kedarnath

• Morning Aarti: 04:00 AM – 07:00 AM

• Darshan: 07:00 AM – 03:00 PM

• Evening Aarti: 06:00 PM – 07:30 PM

• Evening Darshan: 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM 

Badrinath

• Morning Aarti: 04:30 AM – 06:30 AM

• Morning Darshan: 06:00 AM – 01:00 PM

• Evening Aarti: 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM

• Evening Darshan: 04:00 PM – 07:00 PM 

Best Time to Visit Chardham Yatra in 2026

Even within the official opening window, certain months offer better travel experiences:

1. Early Season: April – June

• Clear mountain views

• Pleasant weather

• Good early season greenery

• Roads open fresh after snow clearance

Pros:
✔ Ideal for first-time pilgrims
✔ Lesser crowd in late April – early May

Cons:
⚠ Late April weather can still be cold and windy

2. Monsoon Interlude: July – August

During monsoon, heavy rains and landslide risks increase in the mountains. Planning during this period is generally not recommended unless you are familiar with mountain travel.

Tips:

• Carry rain gear

• Expect minor delays due to road conditions

3. Post-Monsoon: September – October

This period is often referred to as the “Golden Season” for Chardham travel.

Advantages:
✔ Clear skies and excellent visibility
✔ Cooler but comfortable temperatures
✔ Fewer crowds compared to peak summer
✔ Post-monsoon scenery at its best 

Recommended travel window:
Late September – Mid October

Planning Your Trip Around the 2026 Dates

Early Bird Advantages

Booking travel and accommodation before February–March ensures:

• Better hotel options near temples

• Discounted vehicle rentals

• Confirmed trekking assistance

Trek Preparations

• Kedarnath trek paths open with the temple in late April

• Carry appropriate hiking gear

• Use pony/palki services if needed (book early)

Registration & Permits

Pilgrims must complete official Chardham registration before travel. This enables:

• Temple entry verification

• Local route passes

• Safety compliance

Always check the official Uttarakhand Tourism or Char Dham Shrine Committee portals for the latest registration procedures.

Closing Dates & End of Yatra Season

According to projections from Indian pilgrimage sources, the 2026 closing dates are generally as follows:

• Yamunotri: 1 November 2026 

• Gangotri: 1 November 2026 

• Kedarnath: 6 November 2026 

• Badrinath: 6 November 2026 

Generally:

• Kedarnath closes earlier than the others due to harsher early winter conditions

• Badrinath may remain open a few days after before total winter closure 

Travelers planning late-season yatra should ensure return travel before these dates to avoid closure.

Essential Tips for Pilgrims in 2026

Altitude & Weather

• Carry warm clothing even in early season

• Layering helps as mornings/nights are cold at higher shrines

Travel Safety

• Prefer experienced drivers accustomed to Himalayan roads

• Monitor weather forecasts close to travel dates

Health

• Hydrate regularly

• Keep altitude sickness medication handy

Respect Temple Norms

• Observe dress codes

• No photography inside sanctums

• Respect local customs and temple schedules

Conclusion: Planning Your 2026 Chardham Yatra

The Chardham Yatra Opening Dates for 2026 offer both spiritual timing and practical windows for travel:

• 19 April 2026: Yamunotri & Gangotri

• 22 April 2026: Kedarnath

• 24 April 2026: Badrinath

• Closures: First week of November

These dates align with the auspicious lunar calendar and weather conditions permitting safe pilgrimages across the four sacred sites. By aligning travel plans, accommodations, and trekking priorities with these dates, your Chardham Yatra can be both spiritually rewarding and logistically smooth.