Kedarnath Temple Closes for Winter After Record 1.925 Million Pilgrims Visit in 2026
Kedarnath shrine closed at 8:30 AM on Bhai Dooj following traditional rituals and Vedic chants
Yamunotri Temple also closes for winter; winter worship to continue at Kharsali
Over 6.4 million pilgrims visit Char Dham shrines and Hemkund Sahib during the 2026 pilgrimage season
Rudraprayag/Uttarkashi: The 2026 Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is approaching its conclusion as the portals of Kedarnath Temple were closed for the winter season on Wednesday at 8:30 AM on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. The closure ceremony was conducted with traditional religious rituals, Vedic chants and special prayers.
The shrine recorded an impressive turnout this year, with approximately 1.925 million devotees visiting Baba Kedar before the temple closed for the winter. Thousands of pilgrims from across India and abroad gathered at Kedarnath to witness the spiritually significant occasion.
Following the closure of the temple, the ceremonial movable idol of Lord Kedarnath departed for its winter abode at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Devotees will be able to worship and seek blessings at the temple in Ukhimath during the next six months.
The portals of Yamunotri Dham were also closed for the winter season at 10:28 AM on Wednesday. Gangotri Temple had already closed on Tuesday, coinciding with Govardhan Puja. The portals of Badrinath Temple are scheduled to close on November 16, marking the conclusion of the 2026 Char Dham pilgrimage season.
Special Mahabhishek and Rituals Before Kedarnath Temple Closure
The ceremonial proceedings at Kedarnath began early Wednesday morning with the traditional Mahabhishek of Lord Shiva. Special prayers and religious rituals were performed, followed by the offering of bhog.
After the completion of the prescribed ceremonies, Lord Kedarnath was symbolically placed in the Samadhi form, and the main temple portals were closed at precisely 8:30 AM for the six-month winter period.
Soon after the closure, the ceremonial procession carrying the movable idol of Baba Kedar began its journey towards Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Accompanied by the melodious tunes of the Army band and chants of ‘Jai Baba Kedar’, the procession departed amid an atmosphere of devotion.
The ceremonial doli will travel through traditional halting points before reaching its winter residence, where regular worship of Lord Kedarnath will continue throughout the winter months.
Yamunotri Temple Closes; Winter Worship Moves to Kharsali
Yamunotri Dham, one of the four prominent pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand, also closed its portals for the winter season on Wednesday at 10:28 AM.
The closure ceremony took place on Bhai Dooj with Vedic chanting and traditional religious observances. Following the ceremony, the ceremonial idol of Goddess Yamuna departed for Kharsali village, her winter residence, under the traditional leadership of Someshwar Maharaj.
For the next six months, devotees will be able to worship Goddess Yamuna at the Yamuna Temple in Kharsali, where winter religious ceremonies will continue.
Earlier, the portals of Gangotri Dham were closed on Tuesday on the occasion of Govardhan Puja. Badrinath is now the only remaining major shrine scheduled to close, with its doors set to shut on November 16.
Char Dham Yatra 2026 Sets New Pilgrim Footfall Records
The 2026 Char Dham Yatra witnessed an extraordinary response from devotees across the country and abroad, with all four pilgrimage destinations recording substantial pilgrim numbers.
According to the available figures, approximately 1.925 million devotees visited Kedarnath Dham before its winter closure. Badrinath Dham has recorded more than 2.255 million visitors so far, and the figure is expected to rise further before the temple closes on November 16.
Gangotri Dham welcomed 1,007,177 pilgrims during the season, while Yamunotri Dham recorded 884,742 visitors. Together, the two shrines received nearly 1.9 million devotees.
Overall, more than 6.4 million pilgrims visited the four Char Dham shrines and Hemkund Sahib during the 2026 pilgrimage season.
The record turnout highlights Uttarakhand’s importance as a major spiritual tourism destination and reflects the continued faith of devotees in the sacred Himalayan shrines.
With the closure of Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, the pilgrimage season is nearing its end. Winter worship will now continue at the designated winter residences of the deities, while Badrinath will formally conclude the main Char Dham temple season on November 16.
