Char Dham Yatra – opening and closing dates of Chardham Yatra temples in Uttarakhand

In Hinduism, Char Dham Yatra in Himalayas comprises of pilgrimage to Badrinath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, India. These are some of the most important temples in Hindu religion remains closed (October to April) for major part of the year due to harsh winter and heavy snowfall. In 2011, the Char Dham Yatra begins on May 6. The date of opening of Yamunotri Temple and Gangotri Shrine is May 6, 2011.

Kedarnath Temple will open on May 8, 2011 and Badrinath Shrine will open on May 9, 2011.

During the Chardham Yatra period, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) conducts spiritual tour. Online reservation facility is also available. Helicopter Services are also available from Agastyamuni to Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Closing Dates in Char Dham Yatra 2011

Gangotri Temple will close on October 26, 2011 – on the Diwali day

Yamunotri Shrine will close also close on the Diwali day.

Badrinath Temple will close 10 day after Deepavali.

Kedarnath Shrine will close the day after Diwali – on October 26, 2011

Gangotri, located at an altitude of 3200 meters, Yamunotri, at an altitude of 3165 meters, Badrinath, at an altitude of 3135 meters, and Kedarnath, at an altitude of 3580 meters, attract more than 1.5 million visitors each year from India and around the world.

It must be noted here that the visit to four important temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu is also known as Char Dham Yatra and this involves visiting the shrines at Puri, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Badrinath.