Yamunotri Opening And Closing Dates 2026 Announced Updates

Yamunotri is a sacred pilgrimage shrine, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3,293 meters (10,803 feet) above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense forests. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage sites (the first stop of the yatra) and is renowned as the origin of the Yamuna River. 

Hence, the Yamunotri Temple is the very first shrine to be opened among the Char Dham Temples. The temple is open for six months and is closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall, making the road inaccessible. 

 Read this blog to know the official Yamunotri Opening and Closing Dates 2026 announced by the temple committee. 

Yamunotri Opening And Closing Dates 2026

Ceremony/Rituals during the temple's opening: The opening ceremony of the Yamunotri temple, which is also known as the "Kapat Opening Ceremony" is led by the Char Dham temple committee in Kharsali village, which is one of the winter seats of Char Dham temples. 

It includes a grand puja. The idol of the Goddess Yamuna is brought from the Kharsali temple (winter abode of Yamunotri) to the main temple in a decorated palanquin (Palki). The Pujaris conduct the Vedic rituals during the opening, like the Abhishek of the goddess Yamuna’s idol. It marks the official opening of the Char Dham Yatra.

Yamunotri Closing Date 2026

The closing date gets announced on the occasion of Dussehra. Traditionally, the closing date is fixed on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj (the second day after Diwali). It is considered a good time, as the God Yama visits his sister Yamuna. 

In 2026, the tentative closing date is:

Rituals & Ceremony during the Temple's closing: Yamunotri temple Kapat closing is a religious ceremony which officially marks the end of the yatra season. The Kapat closing ceremony of the Yamunotri temple involves a last puja. The evening Aarti and closing prayers are performed during the closing. 

After that, the idol of Goddess Yamuna is shifted to the winter Yamunotri Temple in Kharsali village, and the kapat of the temple is closed till next Akshay Tritya. 

 Note: The closing date for 2026 is tentative; wait for the official announcement for Yamunotri closing date 2026.

Comparison between the Yamunotri opening and closing dates of 2025 and 2026

How To Reach Yamunotri

Yamunotri is easily accessible by air, train, and road. The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and the nearest railheads are Rishikesh Railway station and Haridwar Railway Station. 

From the airport and railheads, direct taxis/cabs are available upto Janki Chatti (Base camp for Yamunotri Trek). 

The final stretch to the temple involves a 6 km trek from Janki Chatti. 

Note: Check out our blog on "How To Reach Yamunotri Temple" for detailed information.

Places To Visit Near Yamunotri

• Surya Kund: A sacred natural hot spring near the temple, where pilgrims took holy baths before visiting Yamunotri.

• Divya Shilla: A sacred rock near the temple, believed to grant blessings to pilgrims.

• Janki Chatti and Pool Chatti: Scenic villages and resting points of the Yamunotri temple trek. Provides panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. 

• Kharsali Village: A picturesque village that serves as a winter residence of the Yamunotri temple.  

• Barkot: A hillside, which serves as the gateway for Yamunotri travellers and is surrounded by the capped peaks. 

• Saptrishi Kund: A divine lake, located 10 km away from the Yamunotri temple and holding deep spiritual significance; it is believed that a group of seven sages meditated around this sacred lake. 

• Dodi Tal: A popular trekking site in this region, provides opportunities for nature walks and camping.

Accommodations & Food Options

Stay option: Accommodations are available in the base camps of Yamunotri, like in Janki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, and Barkot, not in the main temple.

• Budget-friendly hotels
• Luxury Resorts
• GMVN tourist rest house
• Dharamshala

Food options: Yamunotri offers numerous food options, including dhabas, canteens, and restaurants. The place serves simple, fresh vegetarian meals, as Yamunotri is a holy site, not a picnic spot. There are also some local food stalls and tea stalls along the Yamunotri temple route, like in Janki chatti, Hanuman Chatti, and pool chatti. 

Note: Book accommodation in advance during peak season due to limited hotel services.

Conclusion

Yamunotri opening and closing dates 2026 gets officially annouced by the temple committee. The Yamunotri kapat opening date 2026 is finally got announced on the 19 April, 2026 on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. But the Yamunotri closing date 2026 is yet to be announced.

To know the exact and official dates for all the temples, including Yamunotri stay tuned with us and address your doubt regards the yatra to the Himalayas with our detailed blogs.

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