Kedarnath Closing Dates — Guide for 2026

Most expected closing date of Kedarnath Temple is to be on Thursday, 23 October 2026 on Bhai Dooj. This is the day on which every year Kedarnath dham shuts for winter, as there is too much snow. Please note: the final notice of Kedarnath closing date comes from the temple committee (BKTC).

Why closing dates are not fixed?
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) each year tells the official temple closing notice just a few weeks before closing ceremony. Always keep a check on the BKTC website before you plan to travel.

Kedarnath closing dates 2026 — Table

Item	Details
Shrine	Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
Expected closing day (2025)	23 Oct 2026 (Bhai Dooj) — tentative until BKTC tells the final closing date.
Basis for date	Kedarnath usually closes on Bhai Dooj every year. (Example: in 2025 the portals closed on Bhai Dooj.)
Final confirmation	BKTC official notice (check again in October 2026).

How are Kedarnath closing dates decided?

The closing day is decided by Hindu Panchang and tradition. Each year, after Diwali, on occasion of Bhai Dooj, the portals (kapat) of Kedarnath are shut for winter season. The Utsav Doli (the sacred palanquin) is moved to Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple), which is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath. This same pattern is followed each year.

As we know the date uses the lunar calendar, So, the English date changes every year. In 2026, Bhai Dooj is falling on 23 October. That is we are guessing 23 Oct 2026 as the likely closing date for Kedarnath. Still, the final word will come from BKTC.

What happens on the Closing Day

Morning rituals and aarti: Priests perform special puja.
Queue control: The committee manages a steady, but often heavy, flow of devotees.
Kapat bandhan: The doors are closed with mantras and ceremony.
Utsav Doli moves: The deity’s utsav murti travels towards Ukhimath for winter worship.

Planning your last-week darshan around Kedarnath closing dates

Because many devotees choose the final week, seats and services can fill fast. Use these short, practical points so your family trip stays calm:

Fix your day after BKTC confirms. Wait for the official post, then fix your Kedarnath plan.
Arrive 1–2 days earlier. In October season, weather changes quickly in the high Himalaya.
Register and keep SMS/email in your hands. Registration is generally checked at barriers.
Helicopter & slots are booked early. Once the Kedarnath closing dates news spreads, Kedarnath by Helicopter bookings jump. But, Book only after the official date is live.
Watch weather advisories. September–October months are known monsoon rain or fresh snow. And If there is too much rain, district control authorities may pause yatra.
Carry warm layers. Temperatures fall quickly after sunset and cold winds rises around the temple.
Keep buffer time for the return. On closing daythere is a lot of traffic, so It takes time to move out of the city.
Respect rules inside and outside the shrine. Always Follow staff signs so everyone gets darshan peacefully.

Where to check official updates (don’t skip this step)

BKTC official website — notices, aarti/puja info, and final closing updates. Bookmark and recheck before travel.
Trusted news — quick headlines and on-ground reports (useful for weather or route changes). For example, national media clearly reported last year’s Bhai Dooj closure.
Calendar sources for Bhai Dooj 2025 — confirm the festival date itself (23 Oct 2025).

We track Kedarnath closing dates every season and take data from official sources suchas (BKTC notices, festival calendars, and previous-year patterns).We follow BKTC and use respected calendars for Bhai Dooj. We do not follow any unverified claims.
We cite national media for how the closing ceremony is done last year (Bhai Dooj), which is according to the traditional rule. We post 2025 as tentative date because BKTC posts the final order.

Takeaway

For Kedarnath closing dates 2025, plan for Thursday, 23 Oct 2025 (Bhai Dooj) — but wait for BKTC’s official notice before you fix tickets. Check BKTC again in October 2025, and then book, travel, and take darshan with peace.

If you want, I can turn this page into a live “Closing-Day Watch” box on your site that pulls the latest BKTC update and shows a simple traffic-light status (Open / Closing Soon / Closed for Winter).

FAQs

Q1. What is the most likely day for Kedarnath closing dates in 2025?
Ans. Thursday, 23 October 2025 (Bhai Dooj) — tentative until BKTC confirms.

Q2. Who announces the final closing date and time?
Ans2. BKTC (Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee) — check their official website and social handles in October.

Q3. Does Kedarnath always close on Bhai Dooj?
Ans3. Traditionally, yes. For example, in 2024 the portals closed on Bhai Dooj as reported by national media.

Q4. When should I stop planning new bookings?
Ans4. As soon as Kedarnath closing dates are announced by official authorities, you can make your plan.