By Krishna Dua 
Kedarnath Temple Opening 2026: Doors Date Out
The Shri Kedarnath Dham Temple — one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and the most revered Shiva shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas — will reopen its doors for devotees on Sunday, 29 April 2026 at 5:30 a.m. IST. The date was formally announced today by the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) during a meeting chaired by the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, who also serves as the ex-officio chairman of the temple administration.
The opening coincides with Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar for new beginnings, temple visits and charitable acts. The announcement comes exactly five months and one day after the temple doors were closed for the winter season on 29 October 2025 following the annual Bhai Dooj puja and the ceremonial transfer of the deity to Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple) for the six-month winter sojourn.
Historical & Spiritual Importance of Kedarnath
Kedarnath Temple stands at an altitude of 3,583 metres (11,755 ft) in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarakhand. It is the northernmost of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites and forms one of the four major Chardham destinations (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath).
According to legend, the temple was originally established by the Pandavas after the Mahabharata war to atone for their sins. When Shiva, disguised as a bull, tried to escape their penance, he disappeared into the ground; only his hump (khedar = field) remained visible — hence the name Kedarnath (“Lord of the Field”). The present structure was renovated by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.
The temple remains closed every winter due to extreme snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and inaccessibility of the 16–18 km trek from Gaurikund. During closure, the idol is worshipped at Ukhimath (also called Omkareshwar Temple), about 60 km away.
2026 Opening Date & Key Rituals
Official reopening date: Sunday, 29 April 2026 Opening muhurat: 5:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. IST Major rituals on opening day:
- Snan (holy bath) of the deity with Gangajal brought from the Mandakini River
- Special Abhishekam with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar and seasonal flowers
- Vedic chanting of Sri Rudram and Chamakam by temple priests
- First Bhog (naivedya) offered to Lord Shiva
- Aarti performed by the head priest (Rawal) in the presence of the District Magistrate, senior officials and local priests
- First darshan for pilgrims immediately after the opening aarti
The temple will operate daily from 4:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until the winter closure in November 2026.
Registration & Yatra Guidelines for 2026
The Uttarakhand government and BKTC have mandated the following for the 2026 Kedarnath Yatra:
- Online registration compulsory for all pilgrims via kedarnath.uk.gov.in
- Daily cap: 18,000 pilgrims (same as 2025)
- Registration window: Opens 1 March 2026
- Pony / palki / pithu operators: Must register and obtain digital passes
- Helicopter services (from Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi, Sitapur): Prior booking + registration mandatory
- Eco-tourism fee: ₹150 per person (mandatory)
- Vehicle e-pass: Required for all private vehicles entering Sonprayag / Gaurikund
- No plastic policy: Single-use items strictly prohibited
- Photo ID: Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence mandatory for all pilgrims
The standard route remains: Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Gaurikund trek (16 km) or helicopter services.
Preparations & Infrastructure Upgrades for 2026
- Helipad & Ropeway: Civil Aviation Department has approved expansion of Phata and Sersi helipads; partial operation of the new Sonprayag–Gaurikund ropeway expected by late April 2026
- Trekking Path: Widening and safety improvements completed on 4 km stretch between Gaurikund and Jungle Chatti; new retaining walls and railings installed
- Accommodation: Additional 1,200 beds added in Gaurikund and Sonprayag by private operators
- Medical & Disaster Management: 24×7 medical camps, oxygen stations and avalanche rescue teams deployed along the route
- Eco & Waste Management: Single-use plastic ban strictly enforced; bio-degradable packaging mandatory for all shops
The BKTC expects 8.5–10.5 lakh pilgrims in 2026 — a 15–20 % increase over 2025 — driven by improved accessibility, post-pandemic travel rebound and strong social-media promotion.
Significance of 2026 Opening on Akshaya Tritiya
The reopening on Akshaya Tritiya — one of the most auspicious days for new beginnings, charity and temple visits — is considered exceptionally rare and highly meritorious. Devotees believe that darshan on this day carries multiplied spiritual benefits and removes long-standing obstacles.
Conclusion
The reopening of Kedarnath Temple on 29 April 2026 marks the official start of the summer Char Dham Yatra season. For millions of Shiva bhakts, the moment the sanctum sanctorum reopens after six months of winter closure is nothing short of a divine re-awakening.
Whether you undertake the 16 km trek from Gaurikund, take a helicopter from Phata, or offer prayers from home, the blessings of Baba Kedar are believed to be especially powerful on the opening day. Registration opens in March — plan early to secure your slot for this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey.
Jai Kedarnath! Har Har Mahadev!