Kedarnath Temple – Complete Guide (2026)

 Opening & Closing Dates (2026)

The opening date of Kedarnath Temple is decided by the priests at Ukhimath on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The temple generally opens in mid-May every year.

For 2026:

• Opening Date: 22 April 2026

• Closing Date: 11 November 2026

The closing date is fixed on Yama Dwitiya (the second day after Diwali).

 Kedarnath Temple Timings

• Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Evening Darshan: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Special Rituals:

• Shringar Darshan: From 5:00 PM onwards

• Evening Aarti: 6:45 PM

 Festivals & Special Occasions

• Sharavani Annakoot Mela: Celebrated a day before Raksha Bandhan in August.

• Special Samadhi Puja: Held on the closing day of the temple.

 Special Pooja Booking

The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee manages bookings for special poojas.
These special poojas are performed early in the morning before general darshan begins.

 Kedarnath in Winters

With the arrival of winter in November, the idol of Lord Shiva is ceremoniously moved from Kedarnath to Ukhimath (in the Garhwal region, also known as Kedarkhand).

• The shrine closes in the month of Kartik (October–November).

• It reopens in Vaishakh (April–May).

• During winter, the temple remains covered in snow.

• Worship continues at Ukhimath until the deity returns to Kedarnath in May.

Pilgrims from across India visit Kedarnath during the open season for this sacred Himalayan pilgrimage.