The Char Dham kapat closing dates for 2026 are here. The doors of Gangotri closed on 10 November 2026. Kedarnath and Yamunotri closed on 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj). Badrinath, the last dham, will close on 16 November 2026 at 9:37 PM.
When the doors (kapat) close, the worship does not stop. The god or goddess travels in a doli (palanquin) to a winter home lower in the valley. Darshan continues there all winter. This guide covers all four dhams in one place: the closing date and time, where each doli goes, and how you can still do a winter Char Dham darshan.
Char Dham Kapat Closing Date 2026: Quick Table
| Dham | Closing Date 2026 | Time | Occasion | Winter Seat (Doli Goes To) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | 10 November 2026 (Tuesday) | 12:05 PM | Annakoot (Govardhan Puja) | Mukhba (Mukhimath), near Harsil |
| Kedarnath | 11 November 2026 (Wednesday) | 8:30 AM | Bhai Dooj | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath |
| Yamunotri | 11 November 2026 (Wednesday) | 10:28 AM | Bhai Dooj | Kharsali (Khushimath) village |
| Badrinath | 16 November 2026 (Monday) | 9:37 PM | Panchang muhurat | Pandukeshwar and Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath (Joshimath) |
Status on 12 November 2026: Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri are now closed for winter. Only Badrinath is still open, until the night of 16 November.
Why the Char Dham Close in Winter
All four dhams are high in the Garhwal Himalaya, between about 3,000 and 3,600 metres. From late November to April, heavy snow covers the temples and the roads to them. So every year the doors are closed after Diwali, and the yatra stops for about six months.
The closing days are fixed by tradition. Gangotri closes on Annakoot, the day after Diwali's Govardhan Puja. Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on Bhai Dooj. The Badrinath date and time are picked from the panchang on Vijayadashami (Dussehra), so it is always the last dham to close.
Gangotri Dham Closing 2026: Doli Goes to Mukhba
The kapat of Gangotri Dham closed on 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM, on Annakoot. Before closing, the priests did a special puja and the akhand jyoti was lit. Then the silver idol of Maa Ganga was placed in her doli.
The doli travels down the Bhagirathi valley to Mukhba village, also called Mukhimath. This is the maayka (mother's home) of Maa Ganga, and the Semwal priests of Gangotri live here. Maa Ganga is worshipped in the Ganga temple at Mukhba for the whole winter, until the doors of Gangotri open again on Akshaya Tritiya.
How to reach Mukhba in winter
Mukhba is on the opposite bank of the Bhagirathi from Harsil, only a few kilometres away.
It is about 75 km from Uttarkashi on the Gangotri road. The road up to Harsil usually stays open in winter, except for a day or two after heavy snowfall.
The best plan is to stay in Harsil and visit Mukhba for darshan. See our Harsil Valley guide, check today's Harsil road and weather update, and book a stay from our Harsil hotels and homestays.
Kedarnath Dham Closing 2026: Doli Goes to Omkareshwar, Ukhimath
The kapat of Kedarnath Dham closed on Bhai Dooj, 11 November 2026, at 8:30 AM. The Swayambhu Shivling was covered with ash (bhasm) and flowers, and the doors were closed with Vedic rituals. Then the Panchmukhi utsav doli of Baba Kedar left the temple with the Indian Army band and devotees walking along.
The doli walks down to its winter seat in three stages:
| Date | Night Halt |
|---|---|
| 11 November 2026 | Rampur |
| 12 November 2026 | Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi |
| 13 November 2026 | Reaches Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath |
From 13 November, Baba Kedar is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for the whole winter. Ukhimath is about 41 km from Rudraprayag and easy to reach by road all year. The Kedarnath opening date for 2027 will be announced here on Mahashivratri.
Yamunotri Dham Closing 2026: Doli Goes to Kharsali
The kapat of Yamunotri Dham closed on Bhai Dooj, 11 November 2026, at 10:28 AM. Bhai Dooj has a special meaning here, because Maa Yamuna is the sister of Yamraj and Shani Dev.
By tradition, the doli of Shani Dev (Someshwar Devta) comes up from Kharsali to take his sister home. Maa Yamuna's doli then walks down with him to Kharsali village, also called Khushimath. Kharsali is only about 1 km across the river from Janki Chatti, so the doli reaches the same day. Maa Yamuna is worshipped in the Yamuna temple at Kharsali until the doors open again on Akshaya Tritiya.
Kharsali is one of the oldest villages of the Yamuna valley, known for its old wooden Shani temple. In winter you can drive to Janki Chatti and walk across to Kharsali for darshan, as long as the road is not blocked by snow.
Badrinath Dham Closing 2026: Doli Goes to Pandukeshwar and Joshimath
Badrinath is the last of the Char Dham to close. The kapat will close on Monday, 16 November 2026, at 9:37 PM. The five-day Panch Puja runs from 12 to 16 November, and the small temples in the complex close one by one.
After closing, Badrinath's winter worship is shared between two places:
Yogdhyan Badri, Pandukeshwar: the doli of Uddhav ji and Kuber ji stays here all winter.
Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath (Joshimath): the gaddi (seat) of Adi Guru Shankaracharya stays here. It reaches Joshimath on 18 November, which marks the official end of the 2026 Char Dham Yatra.
For the full day-by-day Panch Puja schedule, the ghrit kambal ritual and the 2027 opening date, read our detailed guide: Badrinath Kapat Band Date 2026.
Winter Seats of the Char Dham: Where to Do Darshan in Winter
If you missed the yatra this year, you can still visit all four gods at their winter homes. The Uttarakhand government calls this the Winter Char Dham Yatra (Shitkaleen Char Dham Yatra). The roads are lower and safer, there are no long queues, and the snowy mountains look beautiful.
| Dham | Winter Seat | District | Nearest Base for Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | Mukhba (Mukhimath) | Uttarkashi | Harsil |
| Yamunotri | Kharsali (Khushimath) | Uttarkashi | Janki Chatti / Barkot |
| Kedarnath | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath | Rudraprayag | Ukhimath / Guptkashi |
| Badrinath | Pandukeshwar and Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath | Chamoli | Joshimath |
Tips for a Winter Char Dham Trip
1. Carry heavy woollens
In November and December, nights at Harsil, Kharsali, Ukhimath and Joshimath go below 0°C. Carry thermals, a heavy jacket, a cap, gloves and woollen socks.
2. Keep one extra day
Days are short in winter, and fresh snow can close a road for a day. Do not drive on mountain roads after dark, and keep one spare day in your plan.
3. Check the road before you leave
The Uttarkashi–Harsil, Barkot–Janki Chatti, Rudraprayag–Ukhimath and Joshimath roads usually stay open in winter. Still, check the local road update the night before you travel.
4. Book a local taxi with an experienced hill driver
Winter roads have frost and black ice in the morning. A driver who knows these roads makes the trip much safer. You can plan a full winter trip with us through our Char Dham tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the Char Dham closing dates for 2026?
Gangotri closed on 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM. Kedarnath closed on 11 November 2026 at 8:30 AM, and Yamunotri on 11 November 2026 at 10:28 AM. Badrinath will close on 16 November 2026 at 9:37 PM.
Which dham closes last in 2026?
Badrinath closes last, on 16 November 2026 at 9:37 PM. It is the only dham still open after 11 November.
Where does the Gangotri doli go in winter?
The doli of Maa Ganga goes to Mukhba (Mukhimath) village near Harsil in Uttarkashi district. She is worshipped at the Ganga temple in Mukhba all winter.
Where is Kedarnath worshipped in winter?
Baba Kedar is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district. The doli reaches Ukhimath on 13 November 2026 after night halts at Rampur and Guptkashi.
Where does the Yamunotri doli go in winter?
Maa Yamuna's doli goes to Kharsali (Khushimath) village near Janki Chatti. Her brother Shani Dev's doli comes to take her there on Bhai Dooj.
Where is Badrinath worshipped after the doors close?
Uddhav ji and Kuber ji are worshipped at Yogdhyan Badri in Pandukeshwar, and the gaddi of Adi Shankaracharya stays at the Narsingh Temple in Jyotirmath (Joshimath).
When will the Char Dham open in 2027?
Gangotri and Yamunotri usually open on Akshaya Tritiya. The Kedarnath date is announced on Mahashivratri at Ukhimath, and the Badrinath date on Basant Panchami at Narendranagar. The dhams usually open between late April and mid-May.
Can I do Char Dham Yatra in winter?
Yes. You cannot go to the main temples, but you can do darshan at the four winter seats: Mukhba, Kharsali, Ukhimath and Pandukeshwar/Jyotirmath. All four are reachable by road in winter.
Conclusion
The 2026 Char Dham Yatra is coming to an end. Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri are now closed, and Badrinath closes on the night of 16 November. The gods have moved to their winter homes at Mukhba, Ukhimath, Kharsali, Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath, where you can still go for darshan in a calm, snowy season. We will update this page when the 2027 opening dates are announced.
Source: Dates announced by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and the Gangotri and Yamunotri temple committees. Please check the official websites for the latest updates before you travel.