The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath temples will soon close for the winter months, with specific dates now confirmed. Kedarnath Dham will shut its doors to pilgrims on October 23rd. Badrinath Dham’s portals will close on November 25th at 2:56 PM, according to the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). The closure dates were announced on Vijayadashami. The decision-making process involved an elaborate religious ceremony at Badrinath Temple. Dharmadhikari and Vedic scholars utilized panchang calculations in the presence of BKTC officials to determine the dates. The Rawal of Badrinath Dham formally announced the closure date, and the ceremonial Pagdi for Bhandar Seva in 2026 was presented. The same day, the dates for the annual Panch Pujas will be confirmed. The auspicious time (muhurat) for the journey of Shri Uddhav Ji, Shri Kuber Ji, to Pandukeshwar, and the Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s Gaddi, and the vahan of Lord Vishnu, Shri Garud Ji, to their winter abode at Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath, will also be finalized. In addition, the closing dates for the portals of Shri Madmaheshwar Ji (second Kedar) at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath (Rudraprayag), and Shri Tungnath Ji (third Kedar) at Shri Markateshwar Temple, Makkumath (Rudraprayag) will be determined. Badrinath and Kedarnath are important pilgrimage sites within the Char Dham circuit, drawing numerous visitors each year. The Kedarnath temple is located at a high altitude.
