Kedarnath, Yamunotri to close Nov 11; Badrinath on Nov 16

The winter closing dates for three of Uttarakhand's Char Dham shrines were announced on Vijayadashami, October 20, 2026. Kedarnath and Yamunotri will close on November 11, the day of Bhai Dooj, and Badrinath on November 16, according to reports from Uttarakhand. Pilgrims planning a visit before the shrines shut for the winter now have just over three weeks for Kedarnath and Yamunotri, and a few more days for Badrinath.

The Char Dham shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri sit high in the Garhwal Himalayas and are closed every winter, when snow and cold make the routes unsafe. According to tradition, during the closed months the deities are worshipped at their winter seats lower down the valleys. The closing dates therefore mark the end of the year's yatra season, which draws large numbers of pilgrims and tourists and supports local businesses along the routes.

For travellers, the announcement is a practical deadline. Anyone planning to visit Kedarnath or Yamunotri has until the morning of November 11, and Badrinath until the night of November 16. Late October and early November bring colder weather and shorter days in the high Himalayas, so visitors should check the weather and road conditions, carry warm clothing and check the state's yatra registration rules before travelling.

The dates move from year to year because they are set by the religious calendar. In 2025, the closing dates were also announced on Vijayadashami, and Kedarnath closed on October 23 while Badrinath closed on November 25, according to the public broadcaster. This year the season runs later for Kedarnath and ends earlier for Badrinath.

The closing ceremonies themselves are also an attraction. Each year pilgrims gather to watch the last rituals and the departure of the deity's palanquin to its winter seat. Badrinath's five-day Panch Puja before the final closing is part of that tradition, according to the temple administration.

There was one inconsistency in early reports: a Hindi news headline gave November 11 for Badrinath, while its text and other reports gave November 16. The November 16 date is the one carried by most reports and should be confirmed with the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee before booking travel.

Short-term: A last rush of pilgrims is likely before the closing dates, adding to crowds on the routes to Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Badrinath in early November. Hotels, transport operators and the state administration will plan for the final weeks of the season.

Long-term: The closing of the shrines ends the 2026 yatra season. Visits will resume next year when opening dates are announced, usually around spring festivals.

Who is affected: Pilgrims and tourists planning trips to Uttarakhand, local businesses on the yatra routes, temple committees and priests, and state agencies managing traffic and safety.

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