Char Dham Yatra Opening and Closing Dates 2026

The moment millions of pilgrims across India and around the world have been waiting for is here.

The Chardham Yatra 2026 opening dates have been officially announced by the respective temple committees. Yamunotri and Gangotri temples will open together on 19 April 2026, marking the formal start of the pilgrimage season. Kedarnath Temple will open on 22 April 2026, followed by Badrinath Temple on 23 April 2026, completing the Char Dham opening sequence.

The 2026 Chardham Yatra season is open. If you have been planning your Yatra — or planning your parents’ Yatra — this is the guide you need before booking anything. We have covered every confirmed date, every temple timing, the best windows to travel, and exactly how helicopter Yatra from Dehradun fits into the 2026 season calendar.

I am Rashmi Negi — Founder of Udan Aviation, an ISO-certified Chardham Yatra helicopter operator in Dehradun. I have been in the pilgrimage tourism industry for 16 years. Every detail in this guide is based on official temple committee announcements and verified information. Where dates are tentative, I have said so clearly.

Chardham Yatra 2026 Opening Dates — All 4 Dhams at a Glance

Dham	Opening Date	Auspicious Occasion	Closing Date
Yamunotri	19 April 2026	Akshaya Tritiya	11 November 2026 (tentative) on Bhai Dooj
Gangotri	19 April 2026	Akshaya Tritiya	10 November 2026 (tentative)  on Bhai Dooj
Kedarnath	22 April 2026	Announced on Maha Shivratri	11 November 2026 (tentative) on Bhai Dooj
Badrinath	23 April 2026	Announced on Basant Panchami	13 November 2026 (tentative) two weeks after Diwali.

Note on closing dates: Closing dates are tentative and confirmed closer to the end of season by respective temple committees. Gangotri closes on Diwali, Yamunotri and Kedarnath close on Bhai Dooj, and Badrinath closes approximately two weeks after Diwali.

Yamunotri Dham — Opening Date 19 April 2026

• Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna — source of the sacred Yamuna River 
• Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand 
• Altitude: 3,291 metres above sea level
• Opening: 19 April 2026 — Akshaya Tritiya

The Yamunotri Temple will open on April 19, 2026, for the Char Dham Yatra. Every year the temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya. 

Yamunotri is traditionally the first Dham visited in the Chardham circuit — the sacred starting point of the pilgrimage. The Kapat opening ceremony begins with a grand procession from Kharsali village — the winter seat of Goddess Yamuna — to the main temple. This opening ceremony draws thousands of devotees every year.

Daily Darshan Timings at Yamunotri 2026:

• Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Afternoon: Temple remains open
• Evening Aarti: 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Important for helicopter pilgrims: Yamunotri is reached by helicopter to Kharsali helipad. From Kharsali, pony or palki service takes pilgrims the 6 kilometres to the temple. At Udan Aviation, pony and palki service is included in all Chardham helicopter packages — your elderly parent does not walk this route.

Gangotri Dham — Opening Date 19 April 2026

• Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga — source of the sacred River Ganga 
• Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand 
• Altitude: 3,100 metres above sea level 
• Opening: 19 April 2026 — Akshaya Tritiya

Gangotri Opening Date 2026 is set for April 19, welcoming devotees and marking the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage season.

Gangotri opens on the same auspicious day as Yamunotri — Akshaya Tritiya — making April 19 the official start of the 2026 Chardham season. The opening ceremony involves a ceremonial procession of the idol of Goddess Ganga from her winter abode at Mukhba village back to the Gangotri temple.

Daily Darshan Timings at Gangotri 2026:

• Morning Darshan: 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM
• Afternoon: Closed 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• Evening Darshan: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Important for helicopter pilgrims: Gangotri is reached by helicopter to Harsil helipad, followed by a road transfer of approximately 25 kilometres to the temple. The road from Harsil to Gangotri passes through spectacular Himalayan scenery alongside the Bhagirathi River.

Kedarnath Dham — Opening Date 22 April 2026

• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas 
• Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand 
• Altitude: 3,583 metres above sea level — highest of the four Dhams 
• Opening: 22 April 2026

Kedarnath Temple will open on 22 April 2026 at 8:00 AM. 

Kedarnath opens a few days after Yamunotri and Gangotri because of its significantly higher altitude — at 3,583 metres, additional time is required for snow clearance and route preparation after winter. Kedarnath’s Kapat date is set by the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya and announced on Mahashivratri. 

The opening ceremony at Kedarnath is one of the most spiritually powerful moments of the entire Chardham season. The idol of Lord Shiva returns from its winter home at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath in a ceremonial procession — accompanied by priests, devotees, and military bands.

Daily Darshan Timings at Kedarnath 2026:

• Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Afternoon: Closed 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Evening Darshan: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Important for helicopter pilgrims: At Udan Aviation, our complete Chardham package reaches Kedarnath on Day 4. Your group flies from Dehradun to Guptkashi. From Guptkashi helipad, a short transfer takes you to Kedarnath. The walk from the Kedarnath helipad to the temple is approximately 500 metres on flat ground — manageable for elderly pilgrims. VIP Darshan at Kedarnath is included in all our packages — no queue waiting.

Badrinath Dham — Opening Date 23 April 2026

• Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu 
• Location: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand 
• Altitude: 3,133 metres above sea level 
• Opening: 23 April 2026

Badrinath Opening Date 2026 on 23 April, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage season.

Badrinath is the final and most sacred Dham on the Chardham circuit. The Badrinath temple opening date is declared on Basant Panchami. A grand procession of the idol is observed from the royal palace of Joshimath to the respective temple. 

The opening ceremony at Badrinath is a grand occasion — the idol of Lord Vishnu is brought from his winter seat at Pandukeshwar near Joshimath in a formal procession, and the first Aarti of the season is performed. Thousands of pilgrims gather specifically for this opening ceremony.

Daily Darshan Timings at Badrinath 2026:

• Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Afternoon: Closed 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• Evening Darshan: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Important for helicopter pilgrims: Badrinath is Day 5 of Udan Aviation’s complete Chardham package. After VIP Darshan, pilgrims visit Mana village — the last village of India before the Tibet border, approximately 3 kilometres from Badrinath temple — and see Vyas Gufa, Bheem Pul, and the origin of the Saraswati River.

Chardham Yatra 2026 Closing Dates

The tentative 2026 closing dates are: 

• Gangotri — 10 November (Diwali), 
• Yamunotri — 11 November (Bhai Dooj), 
• Kedarnath — 11 November (Bhai Dooj),
• Badrinath — 13 November. 

The closing ceremonies are as sacred as the opening ceremonies. Each temple’s idol is ceremonially carried to its winter home:

• Yamunotri idol moves to Kharsali village
• Gangotri idol moves to Mukhba village
• Kedarnath idol moves to Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple)
• Badrinath idol moves to Pandukeshwar village near Joshimath

Pilgrims who witness the closing ceremonies describe them as among the most moving spiritual experiences of their lives.

Best Time to Do Chardham Yatra by Helicopter in 2026

The 2026 season runs from late April to November — but not all months are equal for helicopter operations.

May — Best Month for Helicopter Yatra

May is the peak month for Chardham helicopter Yatra. The weather is settled, the snow has cleared from the helipads, the temples are freshly opened, and the Himalayan landscape is at its most spectacular. Pilgrims who complete the Yatra in May describe the experience as the purest — the temples are newly consecrated for the season and the energy is exceptional.

Helicopter availability in May: Seats fill very quickly. Most May departure dates are booked by March or April. If you are planning a May departure — book immediately.

June — Good Month, Book Early

June remains excellent for helicopter Yatra. Weather is generally stable in the first two weeks. The monsoon typically begins in Uttarakhand in the last week of June. Helicopter operations continue but are subject to more weather-related delays as the month progresses.

July and August — Monsoon Season — Not Recommended

Helicopter operations in July and August are significantly affected by monsoon weather. The monsoon months of July and August are not recommended as heavy rains and landslides make travel unsafe. We at Udan Aviation do not recommend booking helicopter packages in July or August. Safety is our non-negotiable first principle — and Himalayan monsoon conditions are not safe for regular helicopter operations.

September — The Hidden Best Month

September is genuinely the best-kept secret of the Chardham helicopter season. The post-monsoon window from mid-September to mid-October is the best-kept secret of the Chardham Yatra. The trails are quieter, the sky is clear, and the landscape after the monsoon is dramatically alive. 

For helicopter Yatra specifically, September offers:

• Cleaner skies for flying — monsoon humidity gone
• Less crowding at each temple — shorter waits even for VIP Darshan
• Cooler, more comfortable temperatures for elderly pilgrims
• The Himalayas in full green — post-monsoon landscape is breathtaking
• Helicopter seat availability is better than May

If you are flexible on timing — September is our recommendation for elderly pilgrims and NRI families.

October — Last Window Before Closing

October is the final window for helicopter Yatra before the temples begin closing. Weather can be unpredictable but clear windows are common. The temples close in November — October is the last month for the complete Chardham circuit by helicopter.

How Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Fits the 2026 Season

For pilgrims doing the full Chardham circuit by road, the traditional journey takes 10 from Haridwar and  12 days from Delhi. For elderly pilgrims, NRI families, and those with physical limitations, the road journey is simply not possible.

Udan Aviation’s Chardham helicopter packages complete all four Dhams in 6 days from Dehradun — departing from Sahastradhara Helipad and returning to Dehradun after Badrinath Darshan. Every departure includes VIP Darshan at all four temples, 5 nights accommodation, all meals, and a dedicated Yatra coordinator throughout.

Package dates available for 2026:

• May: Multiple departures — book immediately, most dates nearly full
• June: Available — early booking recommended
• September: Available — best weather window, strong availability
• October: Available — final month before season end

Chardham 2026 Mandatory Registration

All pilgrims doing the Chardham Yatra in 2026 must register at the official Uttarakhand Government portal before their journey. This is a legal requirement — without a Yatra Registration Number, entry to the Dham helipads and temples is not permitted.

Official registration portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

Registration is free. It takes approximately 15 minutes per person and can be completed from anywhere in the world — including from abroad for NRI families. Each pilgrim receives a unique Yatra Registration Number which is checked at every Dham entry point.

Udan Aviation assists with registration: If you need help with the registration process — especially for NRI families registering parents from abroad — our team guides you through every step. Contact us on WhatsApp at +91 93104 19931.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1: When does Chardham Yatra 2026 start? 

The 2026 Chardham Yatra officially begins on 19 April 2026 with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri temples on Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath opens on 22 April and Badrinath on 23 April 2026.

Q-2: Which Chardham Dham opens first in 2026?

Yamunotri and Gangotri open simultaneously on 19 April 2026 — both on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Yamunotri is traditionally the first Dham visited in the Chardham circuit.

Q-3: When does Kedarnath open in 2026? 

Kedarnath opens on 22 April 2026. The Kapat opening time is 8:00 AM. The opening date is announced by the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya on Mahashivratri every year.

Q-4: When does Badrinath open in 2026? 

Badrinath opens on 23 April 2026. The exact opening time is announced by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee closer to the date.

Q-5: When does Chardham Yatra 2026 end?

 The 2026 Chardham season tentatively closes in November — Gangotri on 10 November, Yamunotri and Kedarnath on 11 November, and Badrinath on 13 November. Exact closing dates are confirmed by temple committees closer to the time.

Q-6: Can I do Chardham Yatra by helicopter in May 2026? 

Yes — May is the peak month for Chardham helicopter Yatra. Helicopter seats are limited and May departures fill very quickly. Book as early as possible to secure your preferred dates. Contact Udan Aviation on WhatsApp at +91 93104 19931.

Q-7: Is it safe to do Chardham Yatra in July and August?

 Helicopter operations in July and August are significantly affected by monsoon weather. Udan Aviation does not recommend helicopter packages in these months. The best months for helicopter Yatra are May, June, September, and October.

Q-8: What documents do I need for Chardham Yatra 2026? 

Every pilgrim requires a valid government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID — and a Chardham Yatra Registration Number from the official Uttarakhand Government portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Foreign nationals must carry their passport.

Q-9: How long does Chardham Yatra take by helicopter? 

Udan Aviation’s complete Chardham Yatra by helicopter covers all 4 Dhams in 6 days and 5 nights from Dehradun. This compares with 10 to 12 days for the road route. All helicopter packages include VIP Darshan at every temple, hotels, all meals, and a dedicated coordinator.

Q-10: Can NRI families book Chardham helicopter Yatra for parents in India? 

Yes. Udan Aviation handles NRI bookings from USA, UK, Canada, UAE, and Australia. We assist with Yatra registration, provide digital documentation, and offer WhatsApp support across time zones. Contact us at +91 93104 19931.

Book Your 2026 Chardham Yatra by Helicopter

The season is open. The temples are welcoming pilgrims now. Helicopter seats for May and September are filling fast.

If your family has been planning this Yatra — for your parents, your grandparents, or yourself — this is the moment to confirm your dates.

Udan Aviation is an ISO-certified Chardham helicopter operator based at Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun. Founded by Rashmi Negi — MBA in Tourism Management, 16 years experience. 2,000+ pilgrims served. Zero safety incidents.

Complete Chardham Yatra — 6 Days 5 Nights — ₹2,30,000 per person all-inclusive

WhatsApp: +91 93104 19931 📞 Call: +91 93104 19931 ✉ Email: info@udanaviation.in 🌐 www.udanaviation.in

Udan Aviation — ISO-certified Chardham Yatra helicopter operator, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. All dates in this article are based on official temple committee announcements. Closing dates are tentative and subject to final confirmation by temple authorities.