It is the dream of every Hindu to have a darshan of Baba Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, situated on the holy Himalayan peaks of Uttarakhand. In the year 2026, the Chardham Yatra is in full swing, and a flood of devotees has gathered. If you too are planning the Kedarnath Yatra with your family or friends this year, then it is very important for you to know what the schedule of the Yatra is.
Often, due to incomplete information, devotees book tickets before the start or after the end of the yatra, which leads to disappointment. Especially when it comes to helicopter bookings and hotel reservations, having accurate dates saves both money and time. Let us know in detail the exact time of the opening and closing of the doors of Kedarnath Dham for the year 2026, as well as the new rules implemented by the administration this year.
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When Do the Doors of Baba Kedarnath Open?
There is no single fixed date for the opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham. Its date is decided every year on the auspicious festival of Mahashivratri based on the calculation of the Hindu calendar (Panchang) and planetary constellations. This is a centuries-old tradition which is followed with full faith even today.
- Year 2026 Update: This year, on the day of Mahashivratri (February 15, 2026), the date of the opening of the doors was announced after the Panchang calculation by the Rawal (chief priest) at the Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath. According to this, in the year 2026, the doors of Baba Kedarnath have already been opened for devotees on April 22, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Currently, the yatra is running smoothly. On the day the doors opened, thousands of devotees were present in the temple premises, and the entire Kedar valley echoed with the chants of Har-Har Mahadev.
When Will the Doors of Kedarnath Close?
Unlike the opening of the doors, no new Panchang calculation is required for the closing of the doors. Its date is pre-determined according to Hindu beliefs, which have been going on for generations.
- Day of Closing the Doors: Every year, exactly two days after Diwali, that is, on the auspicious festival of Bhaiya Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), the doors of Baba Kedarnath are closed with proper rituals for the winter season.
- Year 2026 Date: This year, the doors of Kedarnath Dham are highly likely to be closed for winter on November 11, 2026. On the day of Bhaiya Dooj, after special Bhasma Aarti and prayers in the morning, the doors of the temple will be closed for the next six months. On this occasion, Baba is given a farewell with the tunes of the army band, which is a very emotional and spiritual moment.
Where Can You Have Darshan of Baba Kedar in Winter?
Even when the doors of Kedarnath Dham are closed after November 11, 2026, due to heavy snowfall and the entire area is covered with a white sheet of snow, the worship of Baba does not stop. After the doors are closed, the Panchmukhi Chal Vigraha Utsav Doli (palanquin) of Lord Shiva is brought down via the trekking route with full honor and an army contingent.
For the next six months (winter), the regular worship of Baba Kedar takes place at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. If you want to have darshan in the peaceful winter weather and want to avoid the crowd, you can directly go to Ukhimath and seek blessings.
3 Most Important Things Before Planning the Yatra in 2026
[IMAGE: Screenshot of the Chardham Yatra registration portal or a picture of devotees in a queue scanning a QR code. – Alt Text: Devotees scanning QR code for Chardham Yatra registration]
- Mandatory Registration: This year (2026), the administration has made the rules even stricter in view of the increasing crowd. Before setting out on the journey, it is mandatory to register yourself on the official website of the Uttarakhand Tourism Department registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the mobile app ‘Tourist Care Uttarakhand’ and always keep your QR code pass with you. You will not be allowed to proceed beyond Sonprayag or Phata under any circumstances without a valid QR pass.
- Weather Impact and Health: Kedarnath Dham is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet), where the weather changes every moment. If you are coming during the monsoon (July-August), stay constantly alert regarding heavy rains and landslides. On the other hand, the time of September-October is considered the most favorable and clear for darshan. Get your medical checkup done, and if you have any respiratory or heart-related problems, do not travel without a doctor’s advice.
- Beware of Helicopter Booking Fraud: Helicopter tickets for Kedarnath are booked only through the official website of IRCTC (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). Due to the very high demand for helicopters in 2026, many fake websites have become active. Never make advance payments by falling into the trap of any unauthorized travel agent. Start your journey only with the right information and proper planning so that you can have a darshan of Baba Kedar without any hindrance or trouble.
