Quick answer
The best time for the Char Dham Yatra is mid-May to June and mid-September to October. The shrines open around Akshaya Tritiya, expected on 9 May in 2027, and close around Diwali to late November. May and June are busiest; late September and October have clearer weather and shorter queues. Avoid July and August, when monsoon landslides block roads.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan2°Avoid
- Feb3°Avoid
- Mar6°Avoid
- Apr10°Fair
- May14°Good
- Jun16°Good
- Jul16°Avoid
- Aug16°Avoid
- Sep14°Good
- Oct11°Best
- Nov7°Fair
- Dec4°Avoid
Char Dham weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryAvoid | 2° / -10° | 90 mm | low | Shrines closed; deities are worshipped at winter seats such as Ukhimath and Joshimath. |
| FebruaryAvoid | 3° / -9° | 110 mm | low | Closed. Badrinath's opening date is announced on Basant Panchami. |
| MarchAvoid | 6° / -5° | 120 mm | low | Closed; snow on upper routes. Kedarnath's date is announced on Mahashivratri. |
| AprilFair | 10° / -1° | 80 mm | medium | In some years the shrines open late April; in 2027 opening is expected in May. |
| MayGood | 14° / 3° | 90 mm | high | Opening weeks: biggest crowds, long queues, cold nights at the shrines. |
| JuneGood | 16° / 7° | 200 mm | high | Busy until mid-June; pre-monsoon showers later in the month. |
| JulyAvoid | 16° / 9° | 450 mm | medium | Monsoon landslides on the Badrinath and Kedarnath roads; helicopters often grounded. |
| AugustAvoid | 16° / 9° | 420 mm | low | Highest landslide risk; the yatra is sometimes paused for days. |
| SeptemberGood | 14° / 6° | 220 mm | medium | Second half is a sweet spot: green valleys, fewer pilgrims. |
| OctoberBest | 11° / 1° | 60 mm | medium | Clear skies, cold nights, shorter darshan queues. |
| NovemberFair | 7° / -4° | 20 mm | low | Kedarnath closes on Bhai Dooj; Badrinath later in the month; very cold. |
| DecemberAvoid | 4° / -8° | 40 mm | low | All four shrines closed for winter. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Char Dham
Basant Panchami (11 February 2027)
Badrinath opening date announced
Fixed at the Narendra Nagar palace; the first firm date for planning.
Mahashivratri (6 March 2027)
Kedarnath opening date announced
Announced at the Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath.
Akshaya Tritiya (expected 9 May 2027)
Gangotri and Yamunotri open
The yatra traditionally starts with these two shrines; Kedarnath and Badrinath follow within days.
Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali
Kedarnath closes
The doli is carried to Ukhimath for the winter.
Mid-to-late November
Badrinath closes
Usually the last of the four shrines to close.
When is the best time for the Char Dham Yatra?
There are two good windows: mid-May to June and mid-September to October. The figures in the table are for the Kedarnath area at about 3,580 m. Haridwar and Rishikesh, where the yatra starts, are 20°C or more warmer.
When do the Char Dham temples open in 2027?
Gangotri and Yamunotri open on Akshaya Tritiya, which panchang calendars put on 9 May 2027. That is later than usual: in 2026 the yatra opened on 19 April. Badrinath's date is announced on Basant Panchami (11 February 2027), and Kedarnath's on Mahashivratri (6 March 2027). Until then, treat any 2027 date you see online as an estimate.
When do the temples close?
Kedarnath closes on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali, and its deity moves to Ukhimath for the winter. Gangotri and Yamunotri close around Diwali too. Badrinath is usually last, in mid-to-late November. Exact closing dates are announced on Vijayadashami.
May–June or September–October?
| Factor | May–June | Mid-Sep–Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | Highest of the year | Moderate |
| Weather | Mild days, cold nights | Clear, colder nights |
| Road risk | Low until late June | Low after mid-September |
| Hotel rates | Peak | Slightly lower |
We usually suggest late September to mid-October for families with senior citizens: shorter queues, steadier weather and clear Himalayan views. May suits those tied to school holidays, but expect long waits at Kedarnath and Yamunotri.
Why avoid July and August?
The monsoon brings landslides on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway and the Kedarnath road, helicopter cancellations and days when the yatra is paused. If you must go then, add two buffer days and get travel insurance.
Registration is compulsory and free. Do it online on the Uttarakhand Tourism registration portal before you leave home and carry the QR slip.
See the key stops on the Char Dham route, the 10-day Char Dham itinerary and a full Char Dham cost breakdown. Many pilgrims add a night in Rishikesh; see the best time to visit Rishikesh.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Char Dham Yatra 2027 start?
Is October a good time for Char Dham?
Is it safe to do Char Dham in the monsoon?
Is registration required for Char Dham?
How cold is Kedarnath during the yatra?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
