Char Dham yatra begins with opening of Gangotri, Yamunotri temples
What's the story
The Char Dham Yatra for 2026 has officially commenced with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand on Sunday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the occasion on X, saying that both shrines were opened with full religious rituals and traditions. "Today, on the sacred occasion of Akshaya Tritiya...the gates of Shri Gangotri and Shri Yamunotri Dham will be opened for devotees with full rites and rituals," he wrote.
Twitter Post
Pushkar Singh Dhami's announcement of commencement of yatra
आज अक्षय तृतीया के पावन अवसर पर संपूर्ण विधि-विधान के साथ श्री गंगोत्री एवं श्री यमुनोत्री धाम के कपाट श्रद्धालुओं के लिए खोल दिए जाएंगे। इसी के साथ चारधाम यात्रा - 2026 का शुभारंभ भी हो रहा है।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) April 19, 2026
हमारी सरकार द्वारा चारधाम यात्रा को सुरक्षित, सुव्यवस्थित एवं श्रद्धालु हितैषी बनाने… pic.twitter.com/jhxVfbnD63
Pilgrimage commencement
Kedarnath temple to open on April 22
On the same day, the sacred palanquin of Goddess Yamuna left Kharsali for Yamunotri Dham, while that of Goddess Ganga departed from Bhairav Temple in Bhairavghati for Gangotri Dham. The Char Dham Yatra includes Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath. Kedarnath will open its doors for devotees on April 22 at 8:00am.
Kedarnath preparations
Kedarnath's ceremonial idol departs for the temple today
The ceremonial idol of Lord Kedarnath will travel from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath after traditional rituals. The temple has been beautifully decorated with flowers, and devotees are already gathering. According to the schedule, the Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath will leave Ukhimath on April 19 and reach Phata. On April 20, it will proceed to Gaurikund and halt for the night at Gaurimai Temple.
Temple opening
Government makes arrangements for smooth pilgrimage experience
On April 21, the Doli will depart from Gaurikund and reach the temple treasury at Kedarnath Dham. Religious rituals at the shrine will commence thereafter, culminating in the opening of the temple doors to devotees on April 22 at 8:00am. Dhami said that the Uttarakhand government has made comprehensive arrangements for this year's pilgrimage to ensure safety and smooth travel for all devotees participating in this sacred journey.