Kedarnath, Uttarakhand: The doors of the revered Kedarnath Temple, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, will reopen for devotees on April 22, 2026, marking the start of the new Char Dham pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand.

According to official announcements, the temple gates will open at 8:00 am during the auspicious Vrish Lagna, allowing devotees to begin darshan after the winter closure.

Kedarnath Temple opening ceremony details

The opening date and time for Kedarnath Dham 2026 were announced at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where the deity is worshipped during the off-season.

This year, T Gangadhar Ling has been appointed as the chief priest of Kedarnath Temple and will lead the religious rituals during the opening ceremony and the pilgrimage season.

The shrine had closed for winter on October 23 last year, following traditional rituals, as heavy snowfall makes the region inaccessible during colder months.

Government preparations for Char Dham Yatra 2026

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state government is making preparations to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage for devotees visiting Kedarnath and other Char Dham temples.

He recently performed Jalabhishek at the Vankhandi Mahadev Temple and highlighted the importance of ensuring proper arrangements for the upcoming yatra.

Other Char Dham temples opening dates

Along with Kedarnath, opening dates for other major shrines have also been announced:

Badrinath Temple: Opens April 23, 2026 at 6:15 am

Gangotri Temple: Opens April 19, 2026

Yamunotri Temple: Opens April 19, 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)

These dates officially mark the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 in the Himalayan region.

Pilgrim advisory