Kedarnath Temple will reopen on April 22 at 8 AM. Char Dham Yatra 2026 dates announced; Uttarakhand CM assures safety for devotees.
With the announcement of Kedarnath’s reopening, the schedule for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 has also been finalized.
The sacred Kedarnath Temple in the Garhwal Himalayas will reopen for devotees on April 22 at 8 AM, marking the start of this year’s pilgrimage season. The announcement brings relief and excitement to lakhs of devotees who wait every year for the shrine to open after remaining closed during the harsh winter months.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the reopening date and assured that the government has already begun preparations to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.
The doors of Kedarnath Temple will officially open at 8 AM on April 22. Authorities decided the auspicious date on the occasion of Mahashivratri after conducting traditional rituals and consulting the Hindu calendar.
Religious scholars calculated the muhurat (auspicious timing) using the panchang, following customary prayers and ceremonies. The decision was taken at the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath at Omkareshwar Temple, where the deity is worshipped during winter.
Kedarnath Temple remains closed for nearly six months every year due to extreme snowfall and freezing temperatures in the region.
With the announcement of Kedarnath’s reopening, the schedule for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 has also been finalized.
These four shrines form the sacred Char Dham circuit in Uttarakhand and attract millions of devotees from across India and abroad every year.
The ceremonial process to decide the reopening date took place at Omkareshwar Temple. The event was attended by Kedarnath Temple’s chief priest Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, other officials, religious leaders, and hundreds of devotees.
Temple authorities followed age-old traditions before declaring the date. The rituals included special prayers and readings from the Hindu calendar to determine the most auspicious moment for reopening the shrine.
Kedarnath Temple holds immense religious importance as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to reporters after performing Jalabhishek at Vankhandi Mahadev Temple in Chakarpur. He confirmed that preparations are already underway for the reopening.
“On 22nd April, the portals of Kedarnath Temple will be opened. Preparations have already started. We will ensure that all the devotees who come to Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand, are safe,” ANI news agency cited Dhami as saying.
Dhami highlighted that the number of devotees visiting religious sites in Uttarakhand continues to increase every year. He stressed that the government is taking extra steps to manage crowd control, improve infrastructure, and ensure medical and emergency services are ready.
“We are putting efforts to ensure everyone's safety,” the Uttarakhand CM said.
The reopening of Kedarnath Temple marks the beginning of a spiritually significant journey for thousands of pilgrims. Located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas, the temple stands as a symbol of faith and resilience.
The annual reopening signals the arrival of the pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand, boosting both religious tourism and the local economy. Devotees now prepare to undertake the sacred trek to seek blessings at one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines.
With clear dates announced and government preparations in motion, the Char Dham Yatra 2026 is set to begin with renewed enthusiasm and strengthened safety measures.
