The portals of Kedarnath Dham were ceremonially closed for the winter season at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, November 11, bringing to an end a record pilgrimage season in which more than 19.20 lakh devotees visited the Himalayan shrine.
The closure took place on the occasion of Bhai Dooj, following traditional Vedic rituals and prayers. Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee president Hemant Dwivedi said the season had set a new record for the shrine, with devotees coming from across India and abroad. The temple had opened to devotees on April 22 this year.
Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, sits at an altitude of about 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district. Heavy snowfall and extreme weather make the high-altitude shrine inaccessible during winter, and it remains closed for around six months every year.
With the closure, Baba Kedar’s ceremonial processional deity, the Chal Vigraha Utsav Doli, began its journey to the Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath, the deity’s winter seat. Worship of Lord Kedarnath will continue at Ukhimath through the winter months, and devotees who could not visit the shrine this season can have darshan there.
The closure of Kedarnath follows the winter closure of Gangotri Dham on November 10, observed on Annakoot, and Yamunotri Dham also closed on November 11. Badrinath Dham is scheduled to close for winter on November 16. Together, the four shrines of the Char Dham have received more than 64 lakh devotees this year, marking one of the biggest pilgrimage seasons Uttarakhand has seen.
The 2026 season was notable for the scale of the pilgrim turnout despite challenging weather in the closing days. Reports said large numbers of devotees braved freezing temperatures and snowfall in the Kedarnath valley for the final darshan before the doors were shut.
The record footfall reflects the continued popularity of the Char Dham Yatra, which has grown steadily in recent years as road connectivity and facilities along the route have improved. The Uttarakhand government has been investing in infrastructure for the pilgrimage, including better roads, medical facilities and accommodation at key halts.
The exact reopening date for Kedarnath in 2027 has not yet been announced. The shrine generally reopens in April or May, around Akshaya Tritiya, on an auspicious date decided by the temple committee. Until then, the winter worship at Ukhimath will keep the traditions of Baba Kedar alive in the valley.
The season’s record turnout is also a boost for Uttarakhand’s tourism economy, with hotels, transport operators and local businesses along the Char Dham route reporting strong business through the summer and autumn months. The state government has said it will review the season’s arrangements before planning for 2027.
