INDIA, February 18, 2026 (MSN): The Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand will reopen for devotees on April 22, marking the end of its winter closure. The announcement was made after traditional rituals were held on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the temple’s winter seat. The date and time were finalised at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where Lord Kedarnath is worshipped during the winter months when the main shrine remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Harish Gaur, public relations officer of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said priests and religious scholars performed special prayers and studied panchang (Hindu calendar) readings to decide the auspicious muhurat. As per the decision, the doors of the Kedarnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, will open at 8 am on April 22.
With the Kedarnath reopening date now fixed, the schedule for the annual Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has also been confirmed. The Badrinath Temple will reopen on April 23, while Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will open earlier on April 19, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. The reopening of the four Himalayan shrines marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season, which draws hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad every year. Registration is compulsory for all the pilgrims who want to take up this journey. As per the official website, the Uttarakhand government uses a GPS-based monitoring system to track registered pilgrims. This system ensures the safety of travellers and also helps in regulating the number of visitors to each shrine. Now, pilgrims can also register for the Char Dham Yatra via WhatsApp.
More at source.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike