Kedarnath Yatra 2026 Begins: Temple Opened on April 22 with New Rules and Pilgrim Cap

The sacred doors of Kedarnath Temple reopened on 22 April 2026 at 6:20 AM, officially marking the start of this year’s Char Dham Yatra. The opening ceremony followed traditional Vedic rituals, drawing over 20,000 pilgrims on the first day itself, according to local authorities.

As per tradition, the उत्सव डोली (palanquin) of Lord Kedarnath began its journey from Omkareshwar Temple on 19 April 2026, passing through key stops like Guptkashi and Sonprayag before reaching Kedarnath a day before the opening. The temple, located at an altitude of 3,583 metres, remains closed for nearly six months due to extreme winter conditions.

This year, the Uttarakhand government has introduced stricter crowd management and safety measures. Mandatory online registration has been enforced, and a daily cap of around 18,000 pilgrims has been set to avoid overcrowding. Authorities have also deployed medical teams, disaster response units, and weather monitoring systems along the route.

Pilgrims can reach Kedarnath via the 16 km trek from Gaurikund, or opt for helicopter services from Phata, Sersi, and Guptkashi. The shrine is expected to remain open till Bhai Dooj (around 11 November 2026), depending on weather conditions.

Officials estimate that over 15–18 lakh devotees may visit Kedarnath during the 2026 season, giving a strong boost to Uttarakhand’s tourism economy. However, travelers are advised to plan carefully, as temperatures can still drop below freezing at night even in May, and weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly.