Kedarnath Dham Yatra 2025: Dates, Rituals, and Preparations
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is considered a highly pious sojourn for the Hindus. Every year, these shrines are open for 6 months and the pilgrimage is discontinued for another 6 months including the winter months. Like every year, devotees eagerly await the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, a sacred pilgrimage that draws thousands of worshippers seeking spiritual fulfillment. This year, the anticipation is particularly high as the date for the opening of Kedarnath Dham, one of the most revered shrines, has been officially announced. On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri (26th February 2025), it was revealed that the doors of Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2, 2025, at 7 AM in Vrishabha Lagna. This significant announcement took place at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath, where religious leaders and priests determined the date and time through traditional Panchang (Hindu calendar) calculations. With this, the Char Dham Yatra is set to commence, marking the beginning of an important spiritual journey for countless devotees.
As per tradition, the Utsav Doli (palanquin) of Baba Kedarnath, which resides at Omkareshwar Temple during winter, will begin its ceremonial journey to Kedarnath ahead of the temple’s opening. The procession schedule has also been announced, starting on April 28, 2025. Before the departure, a special worship ritual dedicated to Lord Bhairavnath will be conducted on April 27. The first stop for the palanquin will be at Shri Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi, for an overnight stay. On April 29, the journey will continue towards Phata, followed by an overnight halt at Gaurikund's Gauradevi Temple on April 30. Finally, on May 1, the palanquin will reach Kedarnath Dham, a day before the grand opening. The temple doors will open with traditional Vedic rituals, mantras, and the melodious tunes of the army band, creating a divine and spiritually charged atmosphere.
The Char Dham Yatra 2025 is scheduled to begin on April 30, coinciding with the sacred festival of Akshaya Tritiya. On this day, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will also be opened, allowing pilgrims to start their journey to these holy sites. Following this, on May 4, 2025, at 6 AM, the Badrinath Dham will open its doors to devotees. The announcement for the opening of Badrinath was made on Basant Panchami (2nd February 2025), confirming that the temple will be accessible on Vaishakh Shukla Paksha Saptami under Pushya Nakshatra. Additionally, the Telkalash Gadu Ghada Yatra, a significant prelude to the opening of Badrinath, will commence from Narendra Nagar Rajdarbar on April 22, 2025.
A key ritual associated with Kedarnath Dham is the opening of Bhairavnath Baba's temple, which occurs two days after Kedarnath's doors open. According to beliefs, Bhairavnath Baba acts as the protector of Kedarnath during the six months of winter, guarding the sacred shrine against natural calamities. Along with Kedarnath Dham, preparations also begin for the reopening of the Panch Kedar temples, which include Madhyamaheshwar, Kalpeshwar, Tungnath, and Rudranath, in addition to Kedarnath. If you are planning the sacred journey to Kedarnath this year, you can begin the preparation with booking Hotels in Kedarnath, before the registration process begins.
As the Yatra season approaches, preparations are in full swing. Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, CEO of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), has expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming pilgrimage, emphasizing that arrangements will now be expedited to accommodate the influx of devotees. The temple committee has also announced the names of priests who will oversee religious duties at various temples. Bagesh Ling will be the chief priest at Kedarnath Dham, while Shiv Ling will perform rituals at Madmaheshwar Dham. The Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath will be under the charge of Gangadhar Ling, and Shivashankar Ling will oversee worship at the Shri Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi.
Being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the foremost of the Panch Kedar, Kedarnath Dham holds immense religious significance. Due to its location in the Himalayas, the temple remains closed for six months each year due to heavy snowfall. With the announcement of the official dates for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, preparations are in full swing for the 2025 Char Dham Yatra. Pilgrims are advised to plan their journey in advance, considering the high demand for registrations and accommodations during the peak season. The spiritual journey, deeply rooted in faith and tradition, promises an unforgettable experience for all those who embark on this sacred path.
