The doors (kapat) of the four Char Dham temples close every year around Diwali. But the yatra does not stop. The deities move to their winter seats (shitkaleen gaddi sthal) in lower villages, where daily puja continues all winter. You can do darshan at all four winter seats by road in about 7 days from Haridwar, without any trek.
This guide explains where each deity goes, how to plan the route, what the weather is like and how to stay safe on winter roads.
When do the Char Dham temples close in 2026?
Closing dates are fixed by tradition and announced by the temple committees. The expected dates for 2026 are below.
| Dham | Expected closing date 2026 | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | 10 November 2026 | Annakoot / Govardhan Puja |
| Yamunotri | 11 November 2026 | Bhai Dooj |
| Kedarnath | 11 November 2026 | Bhai Dooj |
| Badrinath | Mid-November (date announced on Vijayadashami) | Decided by the temple committee |
After the doors close, the utsav doli (palki of the deity) is carried in a procession to the winter seat. Many devotees like to join this doli yatra. It is a very special sight, with local bands, Army and police bands, and villagers welcoming the deity with flowers.
The four winter seats of Char Dham
| Summer Dham | Winter seat | Where it is | Approx. distance from summer temple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Kharsali (Khushimath), Yamuna Temple | Uttarkashi district, across the river from Janki Chatti | About 6 km |
| Gangotri | Mukhba (Mukhimath), Ganga Temple | Uttarkashi district, near Harsil | About 25 km |
| Kedarnath | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath | Rudraprayag district | About 60 km by road + trek |
| Badrinath | Yogdhyan Badri, Pandukeshwar and Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath (Joshimath) | Chamoli district | About 25 km and 45 km |
Yamunotri winter seat: Kharsali
Maa Yamuna's idol is brought to the Yamuna temple at Kharsali village. Kharsali is also the village of the priests (Uniyal family) who serve at Yamunotri. It sits on the opposite bank from Janki Chatti, about 1 km by a link road. The Shani Dev temple here, believed to be very old, is also worth a visit.
How to reach: Haridwar – Dehradun – Mussoorie – Barkot – Janki Chatti – Kharsali. About 240 km from Haridwar, 7 to 8 hours.
Gangotri winter seat: Mukhba
Maa Ganga's idol travels by doli from Gangotri to Mukhba (also called Mukhwa), the village of Gangotri's Semwal priests. Mukhba is on a hill across the Bhagirathi from Harsil. In March 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mukhba and Harsil to promote winter pilgrimage and tourism, and the village has seen more visitors since.
How to reach: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Uttarkashi – Harsil – Mukhba. About 270 km from Haridwar, 9 to 10 hours. Most people stay in Harsil, 3 to 4 km away. Read our Harsil travel guide for stays.
Kedarnath winter seat: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath
The Panchmukhi doli of Baba Kedar come down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath in three days, with night halts on the way. From Bhai Dooj until the doors reopen in spring, all puja and abhishek of Kedarnath happens at the Omkareshwar Temple. You can book pujas here too.
Ukhimath is a road-head town, so there is no trek. Senior citizens who cannot walk 16 km to Kedarnath often find this the easiest way to have Baba Kedar's darshan.
How to reach: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Kund – Ukhimath. About 201 km, 7 to 8 hours. Chopta and Deoria Tal are close by if you want to add some snow.
Badrinath winter seat: Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath
When Badrinath closes, the utsav idols of Uddhav ji and Kuber ji go to the Yogdhyan Badri Temple at Pandukeshwar. The gaddi of Adi Shankaracharya goes to the Narsingh Temple at Jyotirmath (Joshimath). Devotees usually visit both.
How to reach: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Chamoli – Jyotirmath – Pandukeshwar. About 300 km, 10 to 11 hours. Auli is just above Jyotirmath, so you can add a day for snow.
Sample 7-day winter Char Dham itinerary from Haridwar
| Day | Route | Night stay | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar – Barkot | Barkot | 210 km, 7 hrs |
| 2 | Barkot – Kharsali darshan – Uttarkashi | Uttarkashi | 140 km, 5 hrs |
| 3 | Uttarkashi – Harsil – Mukhba darshan | Harsil | 75 km, 3 hrs |
| 4 | Harsil – Uttarkashi – Tilwara | Tilwara | 180 km, 7-8 hrs |
| 5 | Tilawara – Ukhimath (Omkareshwar darshan) – Chopta – Jyotirmath | Jyotirmath | 160 km, 7 hrs |
| 6 | Pandukeshwar (Yogdhyan Badri) and Narsingh Temple darshan; optional Auli | Jyotirmath | 50 km |
| 7 | Jyotirmath – Haridwar | Haridwar | 280 km, 10 hrs |
Day 4 is long. If you have time, break it with a night in Uttarkashi or Srinagar and make it an 8-day trip. Driving times in winter are longer than Google Maps shows, because of snow, fog and slow mountain traffic. We plan all winter driving in daylight only.
Winter weather on the route
| Place | Altitude | Day temperature (Dec–Jan) | Night temperature | Snow? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barkot | 1,220 m | 12 to 18°C | 0 to 4°C | Rare |
| Kharsali | 2,600 m | 5 to 10°C | -5 to 0°C | Yes, often |
| Harsil / Mukhba | 2,620 m | 4 to 10°C | -8 to -2°C | Yes, regular |
| Ukhimath | 1,310 m | 12 to 18°C | 2 to 6°C | Occasional |
| Jyotirmath | 1,890 m | 8 to 14°C | -2 to 3°C | Yes, some days |
Kharsali and Mukhba get the most snow. After heavy snowfall the road beyond Sukki Top or the stretch near Harsil can close for a day or two, until the BRO clears it. Keep one buffer day in your plan.
Why do the winter yatra?
- No crowds. In May and June you may wait hours for darshan. In winter you will often have a calm, unhurried darshan.
- No trek. All four winter seats are reachable by road. This makes it ideal for elderly parents.
- Snow views. You see the Garhwal Himalaya in snow, which summer pilgrims miss.
- Lower prices. Hotels in Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Jyotirmath offer off-season rates.
- Support local families. Winter is the lean season for people who live along the yatra route.
Is registration needed for the winter Char Dham yatra?
The online yatra registration and biometric checks run during the summer season. Winter seat visits have not needed the same e-pass in recent winters, but rules can change. Check the Uttarakhand Tourism portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or call the tourism helpline 1364 before you start.
Practical tips for winter travel
- Pack proper winter clothing. Thermals, a down jacket, woollen cap, gloves and warm socks. Hotel rooms in Harsil and Kharsali can be very cold at night, so ask about heaters or electric blankets.
- Use a hill-experienced driver. Black ice forms on shaded bends in the early morning. Our drivers start after 8 am in snow areas and finish before dark.
- Carry snow chains or check with your driver if you are travelling after fresh snow in a private car.
- Keep cash. ATMs are few beyond Uttarkashi and Jyotirmath, and some fail in cold weather.
- Mobile network. Jio and BSNL work in most towns. Airtel is weaker around Harsil.
- Check temple timings locally. Aarti and puja times change in winter. The temple priests or your hotel can confirm.
- Health. People with heart or breathing problems should consult a doctor before going above 2,500 m in winter.
Plan your winter yatra with Gokeys
We are a Haridwar-based travel company that runs Char Dham trips every year. We can arrange the car, hill-experienced driver, heated stays and a safe daylight plan for the winter yatra. See our Char Dham package from Haridwar or contact us for a winter quote.
