Overview
The Kedarnath opening date marks the start of the annual Kedarnath Yatra season — the day when the ancient Jyotirlinga temple at 3,583 m reopens after a 6-month winter closure. The opening falls on Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya) — one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, when actions and donations yield permanent (akshaya) merit.
The 2026 Kedarnath opening date is expected to be 29 April 2026. Official confirmation is announced on Mahashivratri (Feb–Mar 2026) by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee at badrikedar.org. The exact time (muhurat) of the door-opening ceremony is calculated by the temple's Jyotishacharya.
| Year | Opening Date | Hindu Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ~29 April 2026 | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Akshaya Tritiya |
| 2025 | 2 May 2025 | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Friday |
| 2024 | 10 May 2024 | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Friday |
| 2023 | 25 April 2023 | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Tuesday |
| 2022 | 6 May 2022 | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Friday |
Planning
The Kedarnath opening day ceremony — what happens:
- 6–8 months before opening: The Kedarnath deity (utsav murti) resides at Ukhimath. In the months before opening, the Rawal (chief priest) performs daily pujas at Ukhimath on behalf of all devotees.
- Opening eve (day before Akshaya Tritiya): The utsav murti begins its procession from Ukhimath to Kedarnath — traditionally carried by priests and devotees through the mountain villages. The procession arrives at Gaurikund by evening.
- Opening morning (Akshaya Tritiya): The utsav murti completes the journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. At the muhurat time (typically 6:00–8:00 AM), the Rawal opens the temple doors with Vedic mantra recitation. The panchamrit abhishek (bathing the Shivalinga with milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar) begins immediately.
- First darshan: The first 50–100 pilgrims who receive darshan on opening day are considered supremely blessed — they see the Shivalinga in its freshly awakened state, adorned with bhasm (sacred ash) and bilva leaves by the Rawal.
- Throughout day 1: Continuous puja and darshan. Government officials, VIP pilgrims and religious dignitaries attend. NDTV, Doordarshan and regional news channels broadcast live from the temple.
Travel Information
- Char Dham registration: Mandatory at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — opens 6–8 weeks before the Kedarnath opening date. Free registration. Complete it as soon as it opens for April–May dates.
- Daily pilgrim cap: Approximately 12,000–15,000 pilgrims/day allowed at Kedarnath. The government issues timed entry passes through the registration portal. Opening week passes fill within hours of availability — check the portal daily from March onwards.
- Transport: Haridwar → Guptkashi (175 km, 6–7 hrs) → Sonprayag → Gaurikund. Start from Haridwar at 2:00 AM on opening day to reach Gaurikund by 9:00 AM for an early start on the 16 km trek.
- Helicopter (Phata/Guptkashi helipads): Opening-day helicopter slots are the most competitive of the season — book 90–120 days ahead. First helicopter departures are typically 6:00–6:30 AM on opening day.
- Accommodation: Guptkashi hotels and Kedarnath GMVN tents for opening week — book 60–90 days in advance. Expect full occupancy within 24 hrs of opening date announcement.
Tips
- Manage expectations on opening day: The first day sees the largest single-day crowd of the season — queue times for general darshan can be 3–5 hours. If you want a peaceful, unhurried darshan of the freshly opened temple, visit in the second or third week of May rather than opening day itself.
- Opening week is cold — prepare for snow: The Kedarnath basin in late April–early May is typically snow-covered. The trek trail above Rambara may have ice. Microspike crampons (available for rent at Gaurikund, ₹300–₹500) are strongly recommended for the opening-week trek.
- Book Maha Abhishek puja for opening week: The Maha Abhishek puja (₹3,500–₹5,000) for opening week dates fills up first on badrikedar.org — often within days of the portal opening. Set an alert and book immediately.
- Triyuginarayan is a great alternative on opening day: The Triyuginarayan temple (22 km from Sonprayag, Shiva's wedding site) has its own ceremonies on Akshaya Tritiya — much smaller crowds and equally auspicious. Consider visiting if Kedarnath opening-day crowds feel overwhelming.
FAQs
- What is the Kedarnath opening date 2026?
- Kedarnath opening date 2026 is expected to be 29 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya, Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya). Official confirmation announced on Mahashivratri (Feb–Mar 2026) at badrikedar.org. The temple opens at the auspicious muhurat (typically 6:00–8:00 AM) with the Maha Abhishek puja.
- When is the best time to visit Kedarnath on opening day?
- For opening-day darshan, arrive at Gaurikund no later than 5:00 AM (start from Guptkashi at 4:00 AM). The earliest trekkers reach the temple by 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Helicopter pilgrims can reach by 7:00–8:00 AM with a first-slot booking. If crowds concern you, the 2nd or 3rd week of May offers similar spiritual significance with shorter queues.
- How is the Kedarnath opening date decided?
- The Kedarnath opening date is set by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee based on the Hindu Panchang. The temple always opens on Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya). The precise muhurat is calculated by the temple's Jyotishacharya and formally announced on Mahashivratri, published on badrikedar.org.