Gangotri Temple Closing Date 2026 & Opening Date 2027

Gangotri Temple 2026 closing date: 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM, on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), the day after Diwali, as announced by the Gangotri temple committee. After closing, Maa Ganga’s doli goes to her winter seat at Mukhba village, about 25 km away. 2027 opening: expected on Akshaya Tritiya, around 8–9 May 2027. The 2026 season opened on 19 April 2026.

Gangotri Opening and Closing Dates by Year

The opening always falls on Akshaya Tritiya and the closing on Annakut, so both dates move with the Hindu calendar each year.

How the Gangotri Dates Are Decided

• Who decides: the Gangotri temple priests, the Semwal families of Mukhba village, through the Shri 5 Gangotri Mandir Samiti (Gangotri temple committee).
• Opening: the doors open on Akshaya Tritiya (April or May). The exact muhurat is announced in spring, usually around Chaitra Navratri.
• Closing: the doors close on Annakut, the day after Diwali (October or November). The exact muhurat is announced around Navratri and Vijayadashami in October.
• Not the same as Kedarnath: the Kedarnath opening date is announced on Mahashivratri, and Badrinath’s on Basant Panchami. Gangotri follows its own committee.

Opening Ceremony: Maa Ganga Returns from Mukhba

Before the opening, Maa Ganga’s utsav murti is carried in a decorated doli from Mukhba village to Gangotri, about 25 km, with prayers and halts on the way. At the announced muhurat the priests open the doors with Vedic chants, Ganga puja and the first aarti of the season, and the yatra season begins.

Closing Ceremony and Winter Worship at Mukhba

On Annakut the priests perform the last puja and aarti, and the doors close for winter. The doli of Maa Ganga then returns to Mukhba village near Harsil, where she is worshipped through the winter until the temple reopens. The road to Gangotri stays open until snowfall, but there is no darshan at the temple after closing.

Why Gangotri and Yamunotri Close on Different Days

Gangotri closes on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), the day after Diwali. Yamunotri closes a day later, on Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), because Goddess Yamuna is linked to her brother Yama. Both usually open on the same day, Akshaya Tritiya.

See the other dham dates: Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath and the Char Dham opening and closing dates.

Planning a Visit Before the Closing

• Weather: late October and November are cold, with nights below freezing; check Gangotri weather today before you travel.
• Distance: Gangotri is about 241 km from Dehradun and 259 km from Rishikesh; see the Gangotri distance chart.
• Registration: Char Dham registration is mandatory during the season.
• Packages: our Char Dham Yatra package covers Gangotri; the Gaumukh Tapovan trek runs in May–June and September–October.
• More about the temple: read our Gangotri Temple guide, the history of Gangotri temple and the places to visit in Gangotri.
• Entry rules: non-Hindu visitors are asked to take Panchgavya before entry; see the Gangotri Panchgavya rule.

FAQs on Gangotri Opening and Closing Dates

1) When will Gangotri temple close in 2026?

Gangotri temple closes on 10 November 2026 at 12:05 PM, on Annakut (Govardhan Puja), the day after Diwali, as announced by the temple committee.

2) When will Gangotri temple open in 2027?

Gangotri is expected to open on Akshaya Tritiya, around 8–9 May 2027. The temple committee confirms the exact muhurat in spring.

3) Who announces the Gangotri opening and closing dates?

The Gangotri temple priests, the Semwal families of Mukhba village, announce the dates through the Shri 5 Gangotri Mandir Samiti, the Gangotri temple committee.

4) Where is Maa Ganga worshipped in winter?

In winter, Maa Ganga is worshipped at Mukhba village near Harsil, about 25 km from Gangotri. Her doli is taken there after the closing ceremony.

5) Can I visit Gangotri after the temple closes?

The road stays open until snowfall, but there is no darshan at Gangotri after the doors close. For winter darshan, visit Mukhba village near Harsil.

6) Why do Gangotri and Yamunotri close on different days?

Gangotri closes on Annakut, the day after Diwali, while Yamunotri closes a day later on Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya), because Goddess Yamuna is linked to her brother Yama.

7) Is Gangotri open in November?

Usually only in early November. The temple closes on Annakut, the day after Diwali, which falls in late October or early November.