The 2026 closing dates for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri have not been officially announced yet. They are usually fixed on Vijayadashami, which falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026. If last year’s pattern holds, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath close around Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj in November, and Badrinath closes later in the month. Fly into Dehradun (DED).
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you want to visit the Char Dham shrines this season, the window is narrowing. Here is what is confirmed, what is only expected, and how to get there.
When do Kedarnath and Badrinath close in 2026?
As of today, Saturday 10 October 2026, we have not found an official 2026 closing date for any of the four shrines. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has said that the ceremonial closing date of Badrinath is decided on Vijayadashami, when priests and scholars fix the muhurat from the panchang. Vijayadashami this year is Tuesday 20 October 2026, so expect the announcement then.
Some travel websites already print “tentative” dates, and they disagree with one another by days or even weeks. We are not repeating those figures. Wait for the Temple Committee or Uttarakhand government notice.
What we can say is what happened last year. The dates were announced on Vijayadashami 2025, and they were:
- Gangotri: 22 October 2025
- Yamunotri: 23 October 2025
- Kedarnath: 23 October 2025, which was Bhai Dooj
- Badrinath: 25 November 2025
Badrinath had closed on 17 November the year before, so the shrine tends to shut in mid-to-late November. In 2026 Diwali is on Sunday 8 November, and panchangs place Govardhan Puja around Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 or 11 November. If the usual pattern holds, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri would close in that window. Treat this as an expectation, not an announcement.
Where do the deities go for the winter?
The shrines do not stay empty. Worship moves to winter seats at lower altitude:
- Kedarnath: the idol travels to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Last year the doors closed at 8:30 a.m. after a ceremony that began at 4 a.m.
- Badrinath: the Badri idols move to Yog Badri at Pandukeshwar, and winter worship also continues at the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.
- Gangotri: Mukhwa.
- Yamunotri: Kharsali.
Pilgrims can visit the winter seats for darshan once the main temples close. Check local arrangements first, because access and timings are set by the temple committee and local administration.
How do you fly to the Char Dham region?
The main gateway is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport (DED). It is roughly 25 km from Dehradun city, about 20 km from Rishikesh and about 35 km from Haridwar, and it is served by scheduled flights from Indian cities. Airlines and frequencies change, so check live schedules for your date.
From Dehradun, pilgrims go onward by road. Kedarnath involves a road to Gaurikund and then a trek or other approved transport, and Badrinath is reachable by road. Allow time for hill roads, which can be slow after rain.
If you want a one-stop plan for the whole circuit, our 12-day Char Dham itinerary lays out the order of the four shrines.
What happens to helicopter services near the closing dates?
Helicopter flights to Kedarnath only make sense while the shrine is open. Services had been halted since 25 June and were scheduled to resume on 15 September 2026 after DGCA permission, according to a UNI report dated 5 September 2026. Operators generally wind down as the closing date approaches, and we have not seen an official last-flight date, so do not assume seats will be available in the final days.
Mountain helicopter flying usually depends on visibility, so low cloud can ground flights even on a day that looks clear in the valley. Book only through the Uttarakhand government’s official channel, keep a spare day, and see our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide for how the process works.
Is it too late to plan a trip?
Not yet, but do not leave it. The weeks before closing are busy and the weather turns colder, with snowfall possible at high altitude. Book flights to Dehradun once you have fixed your dates, carry warm layers, and keep your schedule flexible in case of weather. If you want certainty, wait for the 20 October announcement before paying for anything non-refundable. If your dates are fixed and cannot move, choose a fare that allows changes, and plan to reach Dehradun a day early so a delayed flight does not cost you your darshan slot.
Common Questions
When does Kedarnath close in 2026?
No official date has been announced yet. Kedarnath normally closes on Bhai Dooj, which falls on 10 or 11 November 2026 depending on the panchang, and the date is usually confirmed on Vijayadashami, 20 October.
When does Badrinath close in 2026?
It has not been announced. The date is decided on Vijayadashami from the panchang. In recent years it has closed in mid-to-late November.
When do Gangotri and Yamunotri close?
Also not announced for 2026. Last year Gangotri closed on 22 October and Yamunotri on 23 October, tied to the festival calendar.
Which airport is nearest?
Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is the usual gateway for the region.
Where is Kedarnath’s winter seat?
The idol is taken to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
Can I book a helicopter right before closing?
Availability usually thins out near the end of the season, and weather can cancel flights. Use only official booking channels and keep a buffer day.
Ready to go? Compare flights to Dehradun on HappyFares, set a price alert for your dates, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to find options. Domestic bookings carry zero convenience fee.
Temple dates, helicopter services and weather change often. Verify current details with the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the Uttarakhand government and your airline before you travel.
