India’s ancient tradition of spiritual travel finds its highest expression in the Char Dham Yatra, a journey that connects faith, devotion, and the quest for salvation. This sacred pilgrimage, deeply rooted in Hindu belief, takes devotees through the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It is more than just a sojourn; it is a path of inner awakening that symbolizes the four essential goals of human life - Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. As the winter season approaches, the official dates for the closure of these revered shrines have been announced. The portals of the Char Dham Yatra will close after Diwali, following the auspicious occasions of Vijayadashami and Bhaiya Dooj. For devotees planning to seek divine blessings before the winter break, this is the last opportunity to visit the Himalayan temples before they close for six months.
Winter Closure Dates for Char Dham Shrines 2025
| Dham | Closing Date (2025) | Closing Time | Occasion | Winter Worship Location | Additional Details |
| Gangotri Dham | Wednesday, October 22 | 11:36 a.m. | Govardhan Puja / Annakoot | Mukhba Village | After closure, devotees can continue to worship Mother Ganga at her winter abode. |
| Yamunotri Dham | Thursday, October 23 | 12:30 p.m. | Bhaiya Dooj | Kharsali Village | For the next half of the year, darshan of Goddess Yamuna will be available at her winter seat. |
| Kedarnath Dham | Thursday, October 23 | 8:30 a.m. | Bhaiya Dooj | Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath | After closure, Lord Kedarnath will offer darshan from Omkareshwar Temple. |
| Badrinath Dham | Tuesday, November 25 | 2:56 p.m. | -------- | Nrisimha Temple, Jyotirmath | Panch Pujas will begin on November 21. Darshan will continue at Nrisimha Temple from November 26. |
Why the Shrines Close During Winter
The annual closure of the Char Dham Pilgrimage sites is a centuries-old practice guided by both faith and practical necessity. The reasons include: • The temples, located at high altitudes, face heavy snowfall, freezing winds, and blizzards during winter. • Roads leading to the shrines become unsafe due to snow and ice, making travel impossible for both pilgrims and temple staff. • Harsh weather conditions can damage temple structures, so closing them helps preserve their sanctity and condition. • After the monsoon season, mountain routes often experience landslides, posing risks to visitors and workers.
A Record-Breaking Year for Devotion
Despite facing natural challenges, the Char Dham Yatra in 2025 has seen a remarkable turnout. Over 4.6 million devotees have already visited the shrines and Hemkund Sahib, nearing last year’s total of 4.8 million. The pilgrimage began on April 30, but weather disturbances like heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides temporarily disrupted the journey, especially in the Gangotri and Yamunotri routes.
As conditions improved, the flow of pilgrims picked up once again, with nearly 14,000-15,000 devotees visiting daily. Registrations have reached an impressive 5.7 million as of October 3.
Comparison of Visitors (2024 vs. 2025 till October 2)
| Dham | 2024 | 2025 (till Oct 2) |
| Kedarnath | 16,51,880 | 16,08,744 |
| Badrinath | 14,35,401 | 14,20,518 |
| Gangotri | 8,18,273 | 7,07,501 |
| Yamunotri | 7,14,779 | 6,06,106 |
The growing enthusiasm for the Char Dham Pilgrimage highlights how faith continues to thrive even amidst challenges. The spiritual pull of the Himalayas and the divine aura of these temples attract millions every year, turning the Yatra into both a spiritual and cultural celebration.
As the winter closure nears, pilgrims who have not yet visited should plan soon to witness the majestic beauty of the Himalayas and seek the blessings of the divine before the sacred doors close for the season.