When the Char Dham temples close for winter, the worship moves down the valley. Each deity is carried in a doli procession to a winter seat (shitkaal gaddi) at a lower village, where daily puja continues until the doors open again in spring. Pilgrims can do darshan there all winter.
The four winter seats
| Dham | Winter seat | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Yamunotri | Kharsali | Village near Janki Chatti, Uttarkashi district |
| Gangotri | Mukhba (Mukhimath) | Village across the Bhagirathi from Harsil, Uttarkashi district |
| Kedarnath | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath | Rudraprayag district, near Guptkashi |
| Badrinath | Pandukeshwar | Chamoli district, below Badrinath on the Joshimath road |
When the doors close in 2026
The temple committees have given these tentative closing dates: Gangotri on 10 November, Yamunotri and Kedarnath on 11 November, and Badrinath on 13 November 2026. The dates can shift; see our Char Dham opening and closing dates for updates. The doli usually reaches its winter seat within a few days of the closing.
The winter Char Dham yatra
The Uttarakhand government now promotes a winter (shitkaal) Char Dham circuit to these four seats, which are reached by road. There is no 21 km Kedarnath trek and no 5 km Yamunotri walk, which makes it gentler for elderly pilgrims. Expect:
- Cold: nights below freezing at Harsil, Mukhba and Pandukeshwar; carry thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap.
- Snow on the road: fresh snow can close the roads above Uttarkashi and Joshimath for a day or two; keep a spare day.
- Shorter days: plan drives to finish before dark.
- Fewer crowds: darshan is quiet and unhurried.
Combining a winter yatra with a holiday
Mukhba is next to Harsil (see our Harsil guide), so a winter darshan fits a Harsil stay. Ukhimath and Pandukeshwar sit on the same road network as Chopta and Joshimath. The summer circuit reopens in April and May; see the Char Dham Yatra 2027 packages and the Kedarnath and Badrinath pages to plan ahead.
Want a winter darshan trip? Message us your dates and we will plan the route and stays.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kedarnath worshipped in winter?
At the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district. The Kedarnath doli is carried there after the temple closes in November.
Where is Badrinath worshipped in winter?
At Pandukeshwar in Chamoli district, below Badrinath on the road from Joshimath.
What are the winter seats of Gangotri and Yamunotri?
Gangotri's winter seat is Mukhba (Mukhimath), near Harsil. Yamunotri's is Kharsali, near Janki Chatti. Both are in Uttarkashi district.
Can I do Char Dham Yatra in winter?
The four main temples are closed from November to April, but you can do darshan at the four winter seats, all reachable by road. Snow can close roads for a day or two, so keep a spare day.
केदारनाथ की शीतकालीन गद्दी कहां है?
सर्दियों में केदारनाथ जी की पूजा ऊखीमठ के ओंकारेश्वर मंदिर में होती है। बद्रीनाथ जी की शीतकालीन गद्दी पांडुकेश्वर, गंगोत्री की मुखबा और यमुनोत्री की खरसाली में है।
