Char Dham Yatra 2026: Kedarnath, Gangotri Close For Winter; Yamunotri To Shut Soon

Dehradun, Nov 11: The 2026 Char Dham pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand is drawing to a close as the portals of Kedarnath Dham were ceremonially shut on Wednesday morning, marking the beginning of the temple's six-month winter break.

 Representational Image 

The temple doors were closed at 8:30 AM on November 11, following traditional rituals and religious ceremonies on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj.

The closure ceremony was held amid freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall in the Kedarnath Valley. Despite the harsh weather conditions, thousands of devotees gathered at the Himalayan shrine to have a final darshan of Baba Kedar before the temple shuts for the winter.

The atmosphere turned devotional as chants of 'Jai Baba Kedar' echoed across the valley during the ceremonial closure. The temple premises were beautifully decorated with flowers, while priests performed the prescribed rituals before the portals were closed.

Gangotri Dham Also Closed For Winter

Kedarnath is not the only shrine to begin its winter closure. The portals of Gangotri Dham were also shut on Tuesday following traditional religious ceremonies.

With the closure, the temple will remain inaccessible to pilgrims for approximately six months during the harsh winter period.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the seasonal closure of Yamunotri Temple, which will mark another major milestone in the conclusion of this year's Char Dham pilgrimage.

Heavy Snowfall, Freezing Temperatures Mark Final Darshan

The final days of the pilgrimage season witnessed severe cold and snowfall in the Kedarnath region. Nevertheless, devotees continued to arrive in large numbers to seek blessings before the temple doors were closed.

Reports also indicated heavy traffic congestion on roads leading to the shrine due to the rush of pilgrims.

According to estimates cited in reports, around 19 lakh devotees had gathered in the Kedarnath region during the closing period, braving challenging weather conditions for the final darshan.

Six-Month Winter Break Begins

The annual winter closure of the Himalayan shrines is a longstanding religious tradition. During the winter months, extreme snowfall and sub-zero temperatures make access to the high-altitude temples difficult.

With Kedarnath and Gangotri now closed, the 2026 pilgrimage season is nearing its end. Devotees will have to wait until the temples reopen next year to resume their pilgrimage to these sacred Himalayan destinations.