Char Dham Yatra 2026: Dates, Timings, And Complete Guide

India is a land of Devis (Goddesses) and Devatas (Gods). The number is an astounding 330 million and no less! And so, not surprisingly, the country is replete with holy shrines and temples. Adorned with the remnants of the rich Hindu mythology, India has clusters of pilgrimages spread across its vast boundaries. Amongst these, the Char Dham Yatra holds a significant spot.

Opening dates of Char Dham Yatra 2026

The Char Dham Yatra is an essential pilgrimage to four sacred shrines in the Indian Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Opening dates of Char Dham Yatra 2026 mark the beginning of the pilgrimage season, which is occurring on April 19 2026, depending on auspicious timing and regional traditions. Here is the updated date:

Yamunotri Temple Timing

Gangotri Temple Timing

Badrinath Temple Timing

Kedarnath Temple Timing

Char Dham Yatra 2026

The Char Dham Yatra represents a significant pilgrimage in India, encompassing four revered sites: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. Each location holds unique spiritual importance, drawing countless devotees seeking divine blessings. This sacred journey not only promotes spirituality but also offers breathtaking natural beauty, fostering a deep connection with nature.

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1. Yamunotri Dham Yatra

Yamunotri, the seat of Goddess Yamuna, is the source of the Yamuna River. The actual source and glacier are located at an altitude of 4421 meters above sea level, about 1 km further up. But it is not easily accessible. For the same reason, the shrine has been located at the Yamunotri Temple at the foot of the hill. Pilgrims offer prayers at the temple itself.

Legend: According to a popular legend, sage Asit Muni – who had his hermitage here – bathed daily in both Ganga and Yamuna. When, due to his old age, he could no longer go to Gangotri, a stream of the River Ganga appeared opposite Yamunotri for him to bathe.

Yamunotri Temple: Situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of 3,291 meters above sea level, the temple was built in the 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur. Goddess Yamuna is depicted here as a silver idol.

Opening hours: 6 am – 8 pm; 19th April 2026
Aarti time: 6:3o am to 7:30 am, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

• Saptrishi Kund: The glacier is the headwaters of the Yamuna River and is located at an elevation of 4421 meters above sea level. The strenuous trek to Saptrishi Kund involves a day for acclimatisation at the temple.
• Surya Kund: It is one of many thermal springs in the region. The Goddess Yamuna is believed to be the daughter of Surya (the Sun god) and Sangya.
• Divya Shila: A powerful rock pillar near Surya Kund at Yamunotri. As a ritual, the pilgrims offer prayers to the pillar before entering Yamunotri.

Seat of: Goddess Yamuna
Altitude: 3291 meters
District: Uttarkashi
State: Uttarakhand

2. Gangotri Dham Yatra

Gangotri – the seat of Goddess Ganga – is frequented by millions of pilgrims each year. The Gangotri Dham is located 19 km from Gaumukh, the source of the Ganga River. From Gaumukh in the Gangotri Glacier, the river flows as Bhagirathi up to Devprayag. Here, it joins the Alakananda, forming the Ganga as we know it.

Legend: According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga assumed the form of a river to cleanse the ashes and liberate the souls of King Bhagiratha’s predecessors during Bhagiratha’s meditation to please the goddess. To minimise the impact of her fall, Lord Shiva placed her in his matted locks. At the point of impact, the goddess became known as Bhagirathi.

Another legend describes Ganga as a beautiful woman born from Lord Brahma’s kamandalu (water vessel). It is said that Lord Brahma washed Lord Vishnu’s feet after the latter killed the demon Bali in his reincarnated form of Vaman. Lord Brahma, thereafter, collected this water in his kamandalu. And Goddess Ganga was born out of it.

Gangotri Temple: Built in the 18th century by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, the temple houses the Gangotri shrine.

Opening hours: 6:30 am – 2 pm, 3 pm – 9:30 pm; 1st week of 19 April 2026
Aarti Time: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

• Bhagirath Shila: It is believed to be the holy rock where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva.
• Submerged Shivling: This Shivalingam is submerged in the Bhagirathi River at Gangotri. According to the Hindu mythology, it is here that Lord Shiva sat to receive Goddess Ganga in his locks.
• Pandava Gufa: A 1.5 km trek from Gangotri takes you to the Pandava Gufa, where the Pandavas are believed to have meditated and rested en route to Kailash.

Seat of: Goddess Ganga
Altitude: 3048 meters
District: Uttarkashi
State: Uttarakhand

3. Kedarnath Dham Yatra

Located near the head of the River Mandakini in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is flanked by breathtaking snow-clad mountains. The city is named after King Kedar, who ruled in the Satya Yuga. The saintly king is believed to be the ruler of the 7 continents. His daughter, Vrinda, is believed to be a partial incarnation of the Goddess Laxmi.

Legend: According to a popular legend, Nar & Narayana (two incarnations of Lord Vishnu) prayed before a Shivalingam in Badrikashraya, Bharat Khand. Pleased by their devotion, Lord Shiva granted them a boon. The duo requested Shiva to establish a permanent seat as a Jyotirlinga at Kedarnath to free devotees of Lord Shiva from all their miseries.

Kedarnath Temple: Built in the 8th century by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, the temple is believed to have been constructed in the same vicinity as the Pandava-era temple. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped by the devotees as Sadashiva, a form of Lord Shiva.

Opening hours: 6:30 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 9:30 pm; 22 April 2026
Aarti Time: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM

• Gandhi Sarovar: The lake is believed to be the place from where Yudhishthir, the eldest Pandava, departed to heaven.
• Shankaracharya Samadhi: Located very close to the Kedarnath Temple, the place is believed to be the place where Adi Shankaracharya took Samadhi.
• Bhairon Temple: Located 1 km from the Kedarnath Temple, the temple is believed to be home to the protector of the Kedarnath Temple and the valley.

Seat of: Lord Shiva
Altitude: 3553 meters
District: Rudraprayag
State: Uttarakhand

4. Badrinath Dham Yatra

The main deity here is the Lord Vishnu, worshipped in his aspect of Badrinarayan. This Dham is the only one that is a part of both the original Char Dham and the Chhota Char Dham circuits.

Legend: According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Badrinath is the place where Nar & Narayana – the dual forms of Lord Vishnu – meditated. The holy town has also been mentioned as a destination that the Pandavas crossed on their journey to heaven. Another popular legend states that Sage Vyasa authored the Mahabharata in a cave in Mana, approximately 4 km from Badrinath.

Badrinath Temple: The story goes back to the time of Shankaracharya, who discovered a black Saligram stone image of Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Badrinarayan. He enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the 16th century, the king of Garhwal moved the stone idol into the present-day temple.

Opening hours: 4:30 am – 1 pm, 4 pm – 9:00 pm; 23 April 2026
Aarti Time: 4:30 AM and 8:30 PM

• Neelkanth: The ‘Garhwal Queen’ is a snowy peak that forms a pyramid-like background to the Badrinath Temple. The peak, 6597 meters above sea level, is the first place to receive the sun’s light in the region.
• Tapt Kund: The abode of Lord Agni, Tapt Kund is a hot spring renowned for its medicinal properties. Surya Kund and Narada Kund are also nearby.
• Vasudhara Falls: The 400-foot-high waterfalls are located 4 km from Badrinath in the Mana Village. It is believed that the water of the falls will turn away from the visitors who are not pure at heart.

Seat of: Lord Vishnu
Altitude: 3133 meters
District: Chamoli
State: Uttarakhand

Other nearby attractions include Mata Murli Temple, Yogadhyan Badri, Alka Puri, Bheem Pal, Sheshnetra, Brahma Kapal, and Satopanth.

Why Should You Go For Char Dham Yatra?

Nestled amongst the peaks of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Char Dhams are the four holy places of Hindu Pilgrimage. The four sites that together make the Hindu pilgrimage are: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Each of these 4 locations is sacred in Hinduism. It is believed that whosoever visits these holy shrines once in their lifetime achieves salvation or Moksha.

When Should You Go For The Char Dham Yatra?

The Char Dham Yatra opens on the day of Akha-Trij or Akha Teej (in May) and closes for winter on Bhai-Bij (2 days after Diwali). However, to avoid the heavy rush in early May & June and to avoid route blockages due to heavy rainfall in late July & August, it is best to undertake the Char Dham Yatra in early July or September.

How Difficult Is The Char Dham Yatra?

Varying climate, poor road conditions, and frequent landslides make this pilgrimage both strenuous and difficult. Temperatures may drop to as low as 1 °C at night in Kedarnath and rise to as high as 40 °C within a few hours. You will need to pack thick woollen garments for extremely cold conditions and lightweight fabrics for warmer climates.

Conclusion

But regardless of all the difficulties and hardships of the arduous pilgrimage, millions of pilgrims flock in and take up the Char Dham Yatra annually. So, if you have faith in the gods & goddesses and wish to offer prayers to them in their known abodes, it is time to head for a Char Dham Yatra.

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Ritika Agarwal

Unveil the hidden treasures of the globe and turn every travel dream into reality. As a Content Writer, I am passionate enough to craft stories from ancient wonders to modern marvels. My words paint the picture-perfect itinerary for unforgettable experiences. Let my words be your trusted guide to immerse in the diverse culture and discover the beauty of the unknown.