The Chardham Yatra is one of the famous yatras performed in India. It includes a pilgrimage to the temples of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, located in the scenic Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. These temples capture the true spirit of Hinduism, and millions of followers visit these temples each year. The opening and closing of these temples have their own customs and rites associated with the beliefs, which are followed in harmony with the different periods of nature.
Chardham Yatra Opening Dates 2025
The Chardham temples generally open in the months of April or May, which is the onset of summer when snow begins to melt. The respective dates are fixed by officiating priests along with astrologers as per the Hindu calendar and are declared by the Chardham temple committee.
Both of the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples opening date falls on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, which is associated with unending success and wealth. On this occasion, the idol of Goddess Yamuna is taken to the temple in a procession carrying her in a palanquin, which results in sync to many rituals. Likewise, the idol of Goddess Ganga is carried in a procession from Mukhba village to Gangotri.
Kedarnath temple opening date is fixed during the celebrations of Maha Shivratri, which is a date after Akshaya Tritiya. The devotees follow and chant hymns and carry the statue of Lord Shiva from Ukhimath, where the idol resides during winters, to Kedarnath temple.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath temple opening date is declared on Basant Panchami, and the exact date is provided after checking the Hindu calendar. A grand procession of the idol is observed from the royal palace of Joshimath to the respective temple.
The Chardham temple shrines are similarly shut with grand ceremonies as winter begins in October and November. Gangotri temple closes on Diwali, while Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham close on Bhai Dooj. The Badrinath temple's closing date is decided on Vijayadashami. The idols are ceremoniously brought to their winter abodes: Yamunotri’s idol gets moved to Kharsali, Gangotri’s idol gets to Mukhba, Kedarnath’s goes to Ukhimath, and Badrinath’s is moved to Joshimath.
Priests perform an elaborate series of rituals like abhishek and aarti during the closing ceremonies to invoke the blessings for the devotees from the deity before the season ends.
The opening and closing of these temples are also accompanied by colorful processions, traditional music, and Vedic chanting. The temples are decorated with flowers, and there are special prayers offered for the well-being of the devotees. The local deities and their palanquins also provide a cultural touch.
These rituals are representative of life and faith being in continuous rotation with seasons, as it is also the case with nature. Among the believers, the Chardham Yatra is no mere pilgrimage but a process of enlightenment, where echoes of opening and closing such temples are full of fervor and age-old custom.
Starting off on such a divine trail changes the person entirely, as this brings the seeker into the connection with the eternal and the ever-present cycles of creation.
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Char Dham Yatra