Char Dham Yatra Opening & Closing Dates

A visit to the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is a miraculous journey to four temples which not only is spiritually significant in India but is magnificent as it is set amid the most mesmerizing landscapes of the Himalayas. All of these four temples of Char Dham are open only for about the period of six months in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons from April/May to October/November.

Char Dham of Uttarakhand, which refers to the four pilgrimage temples in Uttarakhand, opens their gates on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) and closes on the day of the Bhai Dooj/Yama Dwitiya festival (October/November). Chardham Yatra opening & closing day is celebrated as a momentous occasion in all of the four temples.

When does the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, Himalayas, begin?

The Char Dham committee decides and announces the opening date of the Chardham Yatra on the day of Basant Panchami (January/February) every year. Every year, Char Dhams of Uttarakhand open their Kapaat (Doors) on the special occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. According to the Hindu calendar, Akshay Tritiya falls either in the later weeks of April or the starting weeks of May. The gates to the temple stay open for six months following the opening during which one can register their visit to the Char Dhams Temples and complete their spiritual odyssey.

The opening day in each temple of Char Dham is celebrated with special rituals and processions which people come to witness from all around India and the world. A day before the Char Dham's opening day, a procession reaches the temple carrying the deity in a Doli/Palkhi from their winter seat. The commencing of the temple starts with revered chanting of Vedic mantras and lighting the divine lights, establishing the idols of the deities with various rituals like Abhishek with water, milk, honey and offering flowers, sesame oil, ghee, and other sacred things to the idol. Also, one can witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti in the evening on the opening day at Gangotri Temple.

When does the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand, Himalayas, close?

Announcement of the closing date of Char Dham happens on the day of Vijay Dashmi, also known as Dussehra, by the Char Dham Committee. It is usually the day of Bhai Dooj/Yama Dwitiya, in the month of October/November, when Char Dham Kapaats are closed for the winters.

Closing Ceremony of Char Dham Yatra Temples

The winter comes with harsh conditions of chilling days and snow-covered paths, which makes the temples inaccessible. Thus, all four temples of Char Dham are closed for six months of winter. The closing ceremony of Char Dham is as significantly celebrated as the opening ceremony of these temples. It attracts many devotees to witness their Ishta-Devata (favourite deity) for the last day of the year. The day in each of the four temples starts with the last rituals and worship. The deities are offered flowers and various offerings from pilgrims. Then the idol of the deity is moved with a magnificent procession in a Doli (palanquin), taking the deity to their winter seat. In the winters the deities are worshipped in their winter seat which is in a temple on the lower altitude. When the doors of Char Dham are reopened after six months, the idols again are moved to their place in Char Dham where devotees can worship them.