The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is a revered pilgrimage, attracting devotees to four sacred shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These shrines, nestled in the majestic Himalayas, hold significant religious value, symbolizing spiritual rebirth and salvation. The pilgrimage season typically begins in late April or early May when the shrine doors open, often aligned with the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya. After the autumn festivities, the temples close for winter in late October or early November, around Bhai Dooj. Due to harsh winter conditions, the idols are transferred to nearby lower altitudes, where devotees continue their worship during the closure period.
The towns of Haridwar or Rishikesh in Uttarakhand are considered to be the point of commencement of the sacred journey, with pilgrims usually following a clockwise Char Dham Yatra route. The journey starts with Yamunotri, then moves to Gangotri, followed by Kedarnath, and concludes at Badrinath. Accessible by road, the route covers scenic, mountainous terrain, with some sections requiring short treks, particularly to reach Yamunotri and Kedarnath. The pilgrimage’s starting points offer various transport options, including buses, cabs, and even helicopter services for an accelerated journey.
Closing of Portals of Char Dham Shrines for 2024
The closing dates for the four revered shrines of Char Dham in Uttarakhand—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—have been officially announced. The Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board revealed these dates on the occasion of Vijayadashami, marking the conclusion of this year’s pilgrimage season. Despite the approaching end of the season, devotees continue to arrive in large numbers to seek blessings at these holy sites.
This year, the Char Dham Yatra, ongoing in the sacred "Devbhoomi" of Uttarakhand, has only a few days left until the temple doors close for the winter. Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj, confirmed that all four Dhams will close in November. According to official records, the 2024 yatra season saw an impressive turnout, with over 3.85 million pilgrims participating. Kedarnath Dham welcomed the largest number of visitors at 1.35 million, followed closely by Badrinath Dham with 1.1 million.
Specific timings have been set for each shrine’s closure:
• Badrinath Dham: November 17 at 9 PM
• Kedarnath Dham: November 3 at 8:30 AM
• Yamunotri Dham: November 3 at 12:03 PM
• Gangotri Dham: November 2 at 12:04 PM
This season, the doors to Baba’s temple opened on May 10, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. Devotees hoping to visit the Char Dham shrines must plan their pilgrimage before these closing dates. Afterward, the temples will remain closed until the next pilgrimage season, typically beginning in spring.
Until Next Time,
The roads to the pilgrim sites remain closed for 6 months in the winter season and reopen the next year, mostly by the month of May. If you have missed your chance to be part of the Char Dham Yatra, wait for next time and till then prepare yourself to set on for the upcoming year. To embark on the Char Dham Yatra, prepare by checking weather conditions, packing essentials like warm clothing and rain gear, and booking accommodations in advance. Prepare your body to acclimatize to the high altitudes. Most important, make your reservations well in advance whether coming by flight or train from part of India.
