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Tungnath Temple Opening and Closing Date 2026: Kapat Opens 22 April

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Category: Travel | Updated On: September 23, 2026 | Published: November 9, 2025

Tungnath Opening and Closing date 2026
Tungnath Temple opening date 2026: 22 April 2026, confirmed by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on Maha Shivratri, with the ceremonial Utsav Doli procession arriving from Makkumath.
(Official date)
Tungnath Temple closing date 2026: 6 November 2026, officially announced by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on Vijay Dashami (20 October 2026). The doli reaches the winter seat at Makkumath on 8 November. The 2027 opening date is expected around 8–10 May 2027, close to the Kedarnath opening on Akshaya Tritiya; the official date is announced around Baisakhi (14 April 2027).(Expected - based on previous years’ BKTC calendar trends)
Official announcement: Opening date on Maha Shivratri and closing date on Vijay Dashami by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).
Is Tungnath open right now? Yes — open since 22 April 2026, and remains open until it closes for winter on 6 November 2026.
Today's darshan: 7:00 AM–12:00 PM and 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, with morning aarti at 6:30–7:00 AM and evening aarti at 6:30 PM.
Trek: 3.5 km from Chopta · Winter seat: Shri Markandeya Temple, Makkumath

Last verified against BKTC-sourced information: October 23, 2026
Change log
  • 23 October 2026 (later): Added the expected 2027 opening date (around 8–10 May 2027) and an FAQ on it.
  • 23 October 2026: Updated the 2026 closing date to the official 6 November 2026 (announced on Vijay Dashami), added the Makkumath doli date and the 2027 opening outlook.
  • 23 September 2026: Corrected the 2026 opening date throughout the page from 2 May to 22 April, matching the official BKTC-confirmed date (the same day as Kedarnath).
  • 20 September 2026: Tightened the opening and closing date statements for clarity, named the BKTC as the confirming authority for the opening date, and marked the closing date explicitly as expected/unconfirmed.
  • 3 August 2026: Added the live open/closed status block, the 2019–2026 historical opening/closing date table, the crowd calendar, and expanded the FAQ section.

Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world and part of the Panch Kedar circuit, is accessible to devotees only for a limited period each year due to extreme winter conditions — see our Tungnath Temple facts guide for its full history and altitude details.


If you are planning a Tungnath Tour in 2026, knowing the exact kapat opening and closing dates is crucial for proper trip planning. In this guide, we have shared the opening and closing dates of Tungnath Temple for 2026, based on the official announcement by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), along with essential information related to the pilgrimage season.


Safety Tips: Tungnath Temple is situated at a high altitude and remains open for limited period, so knowing the official dates are crucial to avoid travel disruption, missed darshan, and health risk.


tungnath temple in uttarakhand

Table of Contents



Tungnath Temple Opening & Closing Date 2026

The Tungnath Temple opening date 2026 is announced to open on 22 April 2026 and the Tungnath closing date 2026 is 6 November 2026, as announced on Vijay Dashami. The exact dates are officially announced by the Head priest of Kedarnath Temple, who are generally from the Deval community under the supervision of Badri-Kedar temple committee , and they coincide with the start of the pilgrimage season. 

The opening date of Tungnath Temple is officially announced on Maha Shivratri. For 2026, the official opening date is 22 April 2026, based on official BKTC announcement.


Tips for travellers: The closing date (6 November 2026) is official, but snowfall can still affect road access in the last few days. To avoid cancellations or financial loss, verify the final dates by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) before booking hotels or transport.



How The Tungnath Temple Opening Date Is Calculated?

The opening of the Tungnath temple is generally decided by the Badri-Kedar Temple committee, taking into account the Panchangs (Hindu Calendar), Celestial Movements, weather conditions and local rituals. 
Based on Panchang calculations and past trends, the Tungnath Temple opening date 2026 is announced on 22 April 2026, around the Akshay Tritiya period. 

What time the kapat opens?

For pilgrims The Tungnath Temple opening time of Kapat is from 6:00 AM. Devotees can also join the morning aarti at 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM by reaching the temple early.

Why 22 April 2026 was chosen?

According to the Historical opening date patterns, the kapat of Tungnath Temple opening date is calculated on the basis of the Panchang. The date of 22 April, 2026 is aligning with the historical patterns, that is why it was chosen by the priests and committee.


How The Tungnath Temple Closing Date Is Decided?

Like the opening date of the Tungnath temple, the Closing date of this temple is also decided by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and the local Deval priests of Makkumath village, who are the hereditary custodians of the Tungnath temple.

The exact date of closing of the temple gets decided based on the Hindu panchang, local tradition or festival, nakshatra (constellation), and yog , ensuring that rituals are performed at the right cosmic time.

The closing date of the temple is generally announced on the occasion of Vijay Dashmi. After the announcement of the closing date of the temple, preparation starts to transfer the Utsav Murti from the Tungnath Temple to Makkumath.

Why closing date fluctuates?

Due to the rapid changes in weather, the Tungnath opening and closing date are apparently decided on the basis of weather dependencies and right cosmic timings. The temple gets closed during the harsh weather in winter months, when the snowfall starts generally in November.

What signals BKTC uses for dates of the temple?

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee uses a combination of traditional calculation patterns, religious festivals, weather conditions, and logistical preparations for winter to decide the Tungnath opening and closing date. The date gets announced weeks before the closure, aligning with the movements of Utsav dolis of the winter seats.

Do You Need Registration to Visit Tungnath?

No, unlike the Char Dham yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath), the Panch Kedar temples — including Tungnath — generally do not require advance online registration. You can trek up and take darshan directly, though it's worth checking locally in Chopta for any temporary restrictions during peak season.

Tungnath, Chandrashila and Chopta: What Stays Open in Winter

The temple itself closes for winter, but the trek doesn't. Once the idol moves to Makkumath, the Tungnath-Chandrashila trail stays open for experienced winter trekkers, and Chopta remains accessible year-round as a base. So "Tungnath is closed" means no darshan at the temple — it doesn't mean the route or the region shuts down.

Entry Fee and Costs at Tungnath

There is no entry fee for darshan at Tungnath Temple itself. Your main costs are transport to Chopta, the trek (on foot or via porter/mule where available), and any stay or food along the way. If you'd rather have transport, stay, meals and a guide bundled into one per-person rate, check our Chopta Tungnath Trek Package Cost, or see our packing guide for a full cost-planning checklist if travelling independently. To combine Tungnath with the other four Kedar temples, see our Panch Kedar Yatra package.

Tungnath Opening and Closing Dates: 2019–2026

YearOpening DateClosing Date
201910 May 20196 November 2019
202020 May 2020 (COVID-19 restrictions)4 November 2020
202117 May 20215 November 2021
20223 May 202227 October 2022
202326 April 202315 November 2023
202410 May 20244 November 2024
20252 May 20254 November 2025
202622 April 2026 (confirmed)6 November 2026 (official)
2027Expected around 8–10 May 2027 (announced around Baisakhi)–

Opening dates are traditionally announced on Maha Shivratri; closing dates on Vijay Dashami.


 

Rituals During Opening & Closing of  The Tungnath Temple

During the Opening: 

On the day of the opening of the temple, the Utsav Murti, placed in a beautiful doli, decorated by fresh flowers, is being carried from Makkumath to Tungnath Temple.


Makkumath to Tungnath Distance is about 7 km, and the ceremonial doli procession takes around a day to complete this journey at a slow, ritual pace — this is not the hiking time for a regular trek. Locals, priests and devotees join this procession with excitement. The whole area turns into a festival ground, with the sound of loud Vedic chants, drums, conch shells and bells.


The Opening of the Tungnath involves a grand puja ceremony, which involves MahaAbhishek, RudraAsbhishek, and MahaAarti . After these pujas, the Tungnath temple opens for the general public, marking an official opening of the pilgrimage season.

tungnath temple opening ceremony rituals when the utsav murti is taken to the tungnath temple from makkumath


During the Closing: 

The closing ceremony of the Tungnath temple is very important as it marks the end of the summer pilgrimage and the start of lord Tungnath's winter rest. 


Before closing the temple, the final Abhishekam (Ritual Bathing) is done with water, milk, honey, ghee, curd and sacred herbs. This purifies the deity for the journey. Then the head priest performs the final aarti, with locals singing the bhajans. The environment gets emotional as this is the last time of the year to see the deity.


Then the utsav murti is being placed in the doli and carried back to the Makkumath Temple. The procession is joined by thousands of devotees, locals and priests. After the idol leaves, the head priest ceremonially closes the door in a ceremonial manner. This marks the end of the pilgrimage season.

 tungnath temple closing ceremony ritual when the utsav murti is carried to the makkumath temple from the tungnath temple

 

Tungnath Vs Makkumath Winter Worship

Winter Worship at Tungnath: During winters, Tungnath Temple remains completely inaccessible for devotees. The region experiences harsh weather and critical road conditions covered with thick snow layer, making the temple access difficult and unsafe for pilgrims. Hence no constant rituals or worships take place during the winters. Only adventure seekers and snow trekkers visit here during winters.

Winter Worship at Makkumath: The idol of Tungnath Temple's deity is ceremonially shifted to the Makkumath Temple, becomes the winter seat of Tungnath during winter closure. The worship continues at this temple, making it easily accessible for pilgrims without any hard trekking through the snow covered paths. It is a spiritually fulfilling alternative for pilgrims during winter months.


Tungnath 2026 Darshan Timings

During the pilgrimage season, the Tungnath temple follows the traditional structure of the daily darshan and Aarti, which are mentioned in the table below. 

Event/Activity

Timings

Kapat opens

At 6.00 a.m. 

Morning Aarti

6.30 to 7.00 a.m.

Darshan Hours

7.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Evening Aarti

6.30 p.m.

Kapat closes

Around 7:00 p.m., shortly after the evening aarti 

Pro Tips: Tungnath trek opening date 2026 is 22 April 2026. Reach temple early in the morning to get peaceful darshan with fewer crowds and trek down before the sunset.

Tungnath Crowd Calendar

SeasonCrowd LevelExperience
Opening (22 April onward)Moderate–HighFresh energy, spiritual vibe
Summer (May-Jun)Very HighPeak tourism
Monsoon (Jul-Aug)Low RiskyTravel
Autumn (Sep-Oct)ModerateBest balance
Closing (Nov)Low–ModerateEmotional & spiritual
Winter (Dec-Mar)ClosedSnow trekking only
Note: Tungnath snowfall months are from December to March, ideally January and February are the best time to visit Tungnath for snowfall, but the temple is closed in winters.
Pro Tips: The rush and crowd levels remain higher during the weekends, visit during weekday for a less crowded experience, offering peaceful darshan.

Plan Your Tungnath Visit in 2026

 The official Tungnath Temple opening date 2026 is decided to open on 22 April 2026 and the closing date, announced by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on Vijay Dashami, is 6 November 2026; the doli reaches Makkumath on 8 November.

These opening and closing dates of Tungnath Temple are reliable for travel planning purposes. The final and confirmed dates are officially declared on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri (for opening) and Vijay Dashami (for closing). We will update this page immediately once the official closing announcement is made.



Frequently Asked Questions


When will the Tungnath temple open in 2026?

For 2026, Tungnath Temple is announced to open on 22 April 2026 by the official Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC), based on the Hindu Panchang calendar.

What is the official time the kapat opens on 22 April 2026?

The official time for Tungnath temple Kapat opening is scheduled at 6:00 AM on 22 April 2026. The worship will continue from May to Nov and pilgrims can visit Tungnath Temple for darshan.

Is the Tungnath temple open in winter?

No, the Tungnath temple is not open in winter; it closes around November, with the closing date announced on Vijay Dashami, due to harsh weather and snow. The idol of lord Tungnath is shifted to Makkumath, where the winter worship of lord Tungnath takes place. 

Which month does Tungnath Temple open?

The opening date of the Tungnath temple greatly depends on celestial body movement, local festivals, and climatic conditions. As per the general trend, the Tungnath temple opens in the month of late April or early May. In 2026, it will open on 22 April 2026.


When will Tungnath close in 2026? 

The Tungnath Temple generally gets close during winter. In 2026, it closes on 6 November, as officially announced on Vijay Dashami, and the doli reaches Makkumath on 8 November.


When will Tungnath open in 2027?

The Tungnath temple is expected to reopen around 8–10 May 2027, close to the Kedarnath opening on Akshaya Tritiya. The official date is announced around Baisakhi (14 April 2027) by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.


Will Tungnath opening be delayed if snow remains?

Generally, it does not happen, authorities and locals clear the trek route before the yatra begins. Only in extreme conditions, there can be a short delay.


What happens if weather is bad during closing of Tungnath?

If the weather is bad during closing, the ceremony continues in a more efficient, condensed, and expedited manner to ensure the safety of pilgrims, priests, and the deity of the temple.


Is trekking allowed before the Tungnath kapat opens?

Yes, trekking is allowed throughout the year, even before the Kapat opens. The Chopta Tungnath Trek is famous for its snow trekking among adventure seekers.


Plan Your Tungnath Visit in 2026

If you are planning to visit Tungnath Temple after the kapat opens in 2026 and prefer a hassle-free experience, you can explore our Tungnath tour package that includes transportation, accommodation, and on-ground assistance. This option is suitable for pilgrims who want a well-planned journey during the pilgrimage season.


For pilgrims looking for detailed travel planning beyond opening and closing dates, the following guides may be helpful.


Partiksha

Written by Partiksha

6+ Years Experience as a Travel Expert

Partiksha is a travel expert at Manchala Mushafir with 6+ years of experience in the travel industry. She specializes in temple tourism and mountain travel across India, sharing practical travel insights, cultural knowledge, and authentic experiences with travellers.

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