The winter closure schedule for the Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand for the 2026 pilgrimage season is taking shape, with the portals of Gangotri Dham set to close on November 10, followed by Yamunotri and Kedarnath Dham on November 11.

The portals of Gangotri Dham will be closed on November 10, 2026, coinciding with the festival of Annakoot. Meanwhile, in accordance with tradition, the portals of Yamunotri and Kedarnath Dham are scheduled to close on November 11, 2026, on the occasion of Bhaiya Dooj.

The auspicious time (muhurta) for the winter closure of Gangotri Dham was finalised on Monday, the day of Navami. Dharmanand Semwal, president of the Gangotri Temple Committee, and secretary Suresh Semwal said the temple portals will be closed at 12:05 PM on November 10, 2026, during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurta.

Following the closure, the ceremonial palanquin (Utsav Doli) of Goddess Ganga will depart for Mukhwa village, the deity’s designated winter seat (sheetkalin gaddisthal). Worship of the goddess will continue there during the winter months.

Meanwhile, the auspicious time for closing the portals of Kedarnath Dham will be determined on Tuesday, the occasion of Vijayadashami, at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

The occasion will also see the announcement of the winter closure date and auspicious timing for Badrinath Dham, along with the schedule for the Panch Puja—a five-day series of ritual worship—and the Doli Yatra, the ceremonial procession of the deity’s palanquin.

The annual winter closure marks the end of the main pilgrimage season at the four revered Himalayan shrines—Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. During the winter months, worship is carried out at designated winter seats in accordance with established religious traditions.

With the 2026 winter closure dates being announced, preparations are underway for the traditional ceremonies that mark the seasonal conclusion of the Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.