The Badrinath Temple closing date for 2026 is now official. The doors (kapat) of Shri Badrinath Dham will close for winter on Monday, 16 November 2026, at 9:37 PM. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced this date on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026, after priests checked the Hindu calendar (panchang).
Are you planning to visit in the last days of the season? This guide has everything in one place: the day-by-day Panch Puja schedule, where the god is worshipped after the doors close, when the other three dhams close, when the temple will open in 2027, and simple tips for travelling in the last week.
Badrinath Closing 2026: Quick Summary
DetailInformationClosing date16 November 2026, MondayClosing time9:37 PMDate announced on20 October 2026, VijayadashamiPanch Puja12 to 16 November 2026Doli (palanquin) leaves17 November 2026Winter worship placesYogdhyan Badri (Pandukeshwar) and Narsingh Temple (Jyotirmath)Temple opened in 202623 April 2026, 6:15 AM2027 opening date announced onBasant Panchami (February 2027), at the Narendranagar royal palace
How the Badrinath Closing Date 2026 Was Decided
Every year, the closing date of Badrinath is decided on Vijayadashami (Dussehra). The temple priests study the panchang and pick a good time (muhurat). The date is then announced in front of the Rawal (the head priest) and BKTC officials. This year, the announcement was made on 20 October 2026, in the presence of Rawal Amarnath Namboodiri. The chosen time is 9:37 PM on 16 November.
So, any "closing date" you see online before Vijayadashami (like 6 November or 13 November) is only a guess. The real date is fixed only after Vijayadashami.
Panch Puja Schedule 2026 (12 to 16 November)
The Badrinath temple does not close in one day. Five days before closing, a special ritual called Panch Puja begins. During these days, the small temples in the complex are closed one by one. It is a beautiful thing to see, and many devotees come only for these days.
DateRitual12 November 2026Puja of Lord Ganesh. The Ganesh temple closes in the evening.13 November 2026The Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Guru Shankaracharya temples close.14 November 2026Khadg Pustak puja. After this, the reading of the Vedas stops inside the main shrine.15 November 2026A special food offering (kadhai bhog) to Goddess Lakshmi. The Rawal invites her to sit with Lord Badri Vishal.16 November 2026Goddess Lakshmi is placed in the main shrine. Uddhav ji and Kuber ji are brought out. The doors close at 9:37 PM.
What happens on the closing day
On the last day, Lord Badri Vishal is covered with a ghrit kambal. This is a woollen blanket soaked in ghee. It is woven by the women of Mana village. A lamp called the akhand jyoti is lit inside the shrine. People believe it keeps burning for the full six months. Goddess Lakshmi is placed next to Lord Narayan, and the idol of Uddhav ji is taken out. Then the doors are closed with full rituals.
Where Is Badrinath Worshipped After the Doors Close
Closing the doors does not mean the worship stops. People believe that in winter, the gods (led by Narad ji) do the puja at Badrinath. For people, the puja moves to winter homes lower down the mountain:
17 November 2026: The doli of Uddhav ji and Kuber ji leaves for Yogdhyan Badri, Pandukeshwar. They will be worshipped here all winter.
17 November 2026: The gaddi (seat) of Adi Guru Shankaracharya and Garud ji leave for Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath (Joshimath).
18 November 2026: The Shankaracharya gaddi is placed in the Narsingh Temple. This marks the official end of this year's Badrinath Yatra.
If you visit between December and April, you can have darshan at Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath. The Uttarakhand government has been promoting this "Winter Char Dham Yatra" for the last few years. There are fewer crowds in this season, and the snowy mountains look amazing.
Char Dham Closing Dates 2026: The Other Three Dhams
Badrinath is the last dham to close. If you are doing the Do Dham or the full Char Dham Yatra, check these dates first:
DhamClosing Date 2026OccasionWinter Worship PlaceGangotri10 November 2026 (Tuesday)Govardhan Puja / AnnakootMukhba (Mukhimath)Kedarnath11 November 2026 (Wednesday), 8:30 AMBhai DoojOmkareshwar Temple, UkhimathYamunotri11 November 2026 (Wednesday)Bhai DoojKharsali (Khushimath)Badrinath16 November 2026 (Monday), 9:37 PMPanchang muhuratPandukeshwar and Jyotirmath
Note for Do Dham travellers: Kedarnath closes on the morning of 11 November. If you want to visit both Kedarnath and Badrinath, finish your Kedarnath darshan by 10 November. Then drive to Badrinath via Rudraprayag. You have until 16 November for Badrinath.
Badrinath Opening Date 2027: When Will the Temple Open
Every year, the opening date of Badrinath is decided on Basant Panchami at the royal palace in Narendranagar (Tehri). The royal priest of the Tehri royal family studies the Maharaja's birth chart and the panchang to pick the time. On the same day, the date for the Gadu Ghada (a pot of sesame oil) yatra is also fixed. Married women at the Narendranagar palace extract this oil by hand, and it is used to bathe the god for the whole season.
For 2027: The opening date will be announced on Basant Panchami in February 2027. Looking at past years, the temple usually opens between the last week of April and the first two weeks of May. We will update this section as soon as the official date is out.
For the other dhams: the Kedarnath date is announced on Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Gangotri and Yamunotri usually open on Akshaya Tritiya.
Badrinath Opening and Closing Dates of Past Years
This table shows how long the season usually lasts and when the temple usually closes:
YearOpened OnClosed On202623 April (6:15 AM)16 November (9:37 PM)20254 May25 November (2:56 PM)202412 May17 November202327 April18 November20228 May19 November
The pattern is clear. Badrinath almost always closes in the third or fourth week of November, and the season lasts about 6 months.
Badrinath Temple Timings (In the Last Days of the Season)
Morning: The temple opens at about 4:30 AM for the Maha Abhishek. General darshan starts around 6 to 7 AM.
Afternoon: The temple is closed from about 1 PM to 3 or 4 PM (for bhog and rest).
Evening: The temple opens again and closes after the Shayan Aarti (Geet Govind path) at about 8:30 PM.
Timings may change during the Panch Puja days, and especially on 16 November, because the rituals are different. Please check the timings at the temple committee counter when you reach.
Tips for Visiting Badrinath in the Last Week of the Season
1. Be ready for the cold
Badrinath is about 3,133 metres high. In mid-November, the day temperature is about 5 to 10°C, and at night it can go below 0°C. Carry thermal innerwear, a heavy jacket, a cap, gloves and woollen socks. It may also snow.
2. Book your hotel early
Near the closing date, many hotels and dhabas in Badrinath start shutting down. On 15 and 16 November, the crowd is very big. Book your room in Badrinath or Joshimath in advance. For senior citizens, it is easier to stay in Joshimath and go to Badrinath (about 45 km) in the morning.
3. Do not forget to register
Registration with the Uttarakhand government is required for the Char Dham Yatra, even in the last days of the season. See the full online process in our Char Dham Yatra Registration Guide.
4. Keep one extra day for travel
Badrinath is about 300+ km from Haridwar or Rishikesh. By road, it takes 10 to 12 hours (Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath). Days are short in November, and it is not safe to drive on mountain roads at night. So split the journey into 2 days, and keep one extra day in case of snow or landslides.
5. Carry cash and fill up fuel
At the end of the season, do not depend on ATMs and petrol pumps in the higher areas. Fill your fuel tank in Joshimath and carry some cash.
6. Reach by 15 November to see the closing ceremony
The night the doors close is a very special experience, but the darshan line is very long that day. For a calm darshan, reach by 14 or 15 November, and watch the closing ceremony on the night of the 16th.
Travelling on a budget? See our Haridwar to Badrinath trip under ₹10,000 plan, or choose a package that suits you from our Char Dham tour packages. Also read our safety guide for a safe trip in the mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Badrinath Temple closing date in 2026?
The doors of Badrinath Dham will close for winter on Monday, 16 November 2026, at 9:37 PM. This date was announced on 20 October 2026 (Vijayadashami).
When will Badrinath Temple open in 2027?
The 2027 opening date will be decided on Basant Panchami (February 2027) at the Narendranagar royal palace. The temple usually opens between the last week of April and the first weeks of May.
When will Kedarnath close in 2026?
The doors of Kedarnath Dham will close on 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj) at 8:30 AM. After that, Baba Kedar will be worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
Where is Badrinath worshipped after the doors close?
Uddhav ji and Kuber ji are worshipped at the Yogdhyan Badri Temple in Pandukeshwar. The gaddi of Adi Shankaracharya stays at the Narsingh Temple in Jyotirmath. Devotees visit these places for darshan in winter.
Is it safe to visit Badrinath in November?
Yes. The road stays open until 16 November, and the trip is safe. It is just very cold. Carry warm clothes, keep one extra day, book your hotel in advance, and check the weather before you leave.
Can I visit Badrinath after the doors close?
A few days after closing, the road to Badrinath is closed for the public, and the area gets covered in snow. In winter, go to Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath for darshan. Mana village and the Badrinath area are empty at this time.
What is the ghrit kambal of Badrinath?
The ghrit kambal is a woollen blanket soaked in ghee. It is woven by the women of Mana village (known as the first village of India). On the closing day, it is placed over Lord Badri Vishal. When the temple opens again, small pieces of it are given to devotees as prasad.
Is Char Dham Yatra registration needed in November?
Yes. Registration is needed as long as the dhams are open. You can register on the online portal or at the registration counters in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Conclusion
This year, the doors of Badrinath Dham will close on 16 November 2026 at 9:37 PM, and the Panch Puja will start on 12 November. If you want to see Lord Badri Vishal this season, there are not many days left. Book your hotel and car now, finish your registration, pack warm clothes and start your journey. We will update this page as soon as the 2027 opening date is announced.
Source: Dates announced by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on 20 October 2026. Please check the official BKTC or Uttarakhand government website for the latest updates before you travel.