Panch Kedar Temples Closing Dates Announced 2026!

The Rudranath Temple closing date 2026 has been announced for 17 October. The closing dates for the other Panch Kedar temples are currently tentative and may be confirmed later by the respective temple authorities.

If you are planning the Panch Kedar Yatra 2026, check the temple closing dates before starting your journey. This guide covers the closing dates of all five Kedar temples, along with the Panch Kedar route, trek distances, duration, registration, cost and how to plan your yatra. 

Panch Kedar Temples Closing Dates – Temple-Wise Schedule 

Here is the current 2026 schedule:

Currently, only the Rudranath Temple closing date has been officially announced for 17 October 2026. The closing dates for the other Panch Kedar temples are still tentative and may change.

Keep in mind that tentative dates can change, particularly when the final closing ceremony is confirmed closer to the date. Weather conditions, local religious traditions and administrative decisions can also affect temple access and travel plans.

Kedarnath Temple Closing Date

The Kedarnath Temple closing date 2026 is tentatively 11 November, on Bhai Dooj. The temple opened for the 2026 pilgrimage season on 22 April.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of around 3,497 metres (11,473 ft). The usual route goes through Ransi and Uniana, followed by a trek through villages, forests and mountain terrain.

The trek involves several hours of uphill and downhill walking, so basic fitness and proper trekking shoes are important.

After the closing ceremony, the ceremonial deity is brought to Ukhimath, where winter worship continues at Omkareshwar Temple.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple Closing Date

The Madhyamaheshwar Temple closing date 2026 is tentatively 20 November. The temple opened for the 2026 pilgrimage season on 21 May. The final closing date should be confirmed by the temple authorities closer to the ceremony.

Madhyamaheshwar is located at around 3,497 metres (11,473 ft) and is reached through Ransi and Uniana, followed by a trek through villages, forests and mountain terrain.

The trek involves several hours of uphill and downhill walking, so basic fitness is important.

Tungnath Temple Closing Date

The Tungnath Temple closing date 2026 is tentatively 4 November. The temple opened for the 2026 pilgrimage season on 2 May, but the final closing date should be confirmed closer to the ceremony.

Tungnath Temple is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of around 3,680 metres (12,073 ft). It is considered the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five Panch Kedar temples.

The trek to Tungnath starts from Chopta and is around 3.5 km one way. The trail has a steady uphill climb, so the short distance can still feel tiring because of the altitude.

After the temple closes, the deity is taken to its winter seat at Makkumath, where worship continues during winter.

Rudranath Temple Closing Date

The Rudranath Temple closing date 2026 is 17 October. The date was announced by Acharya Pandit Harish Bhatt, the chief priest of Rudranath Temple, following the traditional Panchang calculation.

Rudranath Temple is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of around 3,600 metres (11,800 ft). It is one of the more demanding Panch Kedar treks, with routes passing through forests, meadows, ridges and high-altitude terrain.

After the temple closes, the ceremonial deity is taken to Gopinath Temple in Gopeshwar, where winter worship continues.

Kalpeshwar Temple

Kalpeshwar Temple remains open throughout the year, located in Urgam Valley, Chamoli district, at around 2,200 metres (7,200 ft).

Kalpeshwar Temple  is accessible by road, so you do not need to do a long trek to reach the temple. 

Why Do Panch Kedar Temples Close for Winter?

The main reason is the severe winter conditions in the higher Garhwal Himalayas.

Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar are located at high elevations where winter can bring heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and difficult trail conditions. Once snow accumulates, reaching these temples becomes much harder for pilgrims, local workers and support teams.

During heavy snowfall, accommodation, food, transport and other basic facilities are also not available in many high-altitude areas. This makes it difficult for pilgrims, workers and support teams to stay and travel safely.

The temples also follow traditional closing rituals, after which the ceremonial deities are moved to their respective winter seats. Devotees can visit these winter seats for darshan and worship during the winter months.

Kalpeshwar is the exception because it is at a lower altitude and remains accessible throughout the year.

How to Complete Panch Kedar Yatra?

To complete the Panch Kedar Yatra, you can follow our well-planned 12-day itinerary covering all five Panch Kedar temples — Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar — along with a visit to Badrinath Temple.

The journey includes a mix of road travel and trekking, with accommodation, transport and daily travel planned in advance.  This guide covers the important things you need to know, including the route, itinerary, difficulty, cost, registration you need.

Panch Kedar Yatra Itinerary

Here is our 12-day Panch Kedar itinerary:

How Difficult Is Panch Kedar Yatra?

Panch Kedar Yatra is moderate to difficult because it combines several long trekking days with high-altitude terrain. You do not need technical climbing skills, but good fitness and trekking experience are recommended.

Here is the approximate trekking distance for each Panch Kedar:

Kedarnath: The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is around 16 km one way. Day 2 is the main uphill trekking day, followed by the 16 km descent on Day 3.

Madhyamaheshwar: The trek from Ransi to Madhyamaheshwar is around 16 km one way. You then trek back to Ransi, making this one of the longer sections of the Yatra.

Tungnath: The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is around 3.5 km one way. It is shorter than the other treks but has a steady and steep climb at high altitude.

Rudranath: This is generally the toughest section of the Panch Kedar Yatra. Depending on the route and campsite, the trek can involve long distances of around 20 km one way, with steep climbs, forest trails and remote mountain terrain.

Kalpeshwar: Kalpeshwar is the easiest to reach. It requires only a short walk of around 1–2 km, making it much easier than the other four Panch Kedar temples.

Overall, you should be prepared to walk for several hours on multiple days. Start your fitness preparation at least 4–6 weeks before the Yatra with regular walking, stairs, step-ups, squats and longer weekend walks. Keep your pace comfortable and take enough breaks during the trek

How Much Does Panch Kedar Yatra Cost?

Our Panch Kedar trek package is priced at ₹40,000 per person. The package includes transportation, accommodation, meals, local guide support and the required bookings and registrations.

Package Includes:

• Haridwar to Haridwar transportation as per group size — Dzire, Ertiga, Innova or Tempo Traveller.
• 11 nights accommodation on a sharing basis in hotels, homestays, campsites or Dharamshalas.
• 11 breakfasts and 11 dinners during the trip.
• Experienced local guide and trek support.
• 24/7 customer support throughout the journey.
• Driver allowance, toll, parking, state taxes and permits.
• All required bookings and registrations managed by our team.

Delhi to Delhi transportation can also be arranged at an additional cost.

FAQs About Panch Kedar Yatra

1. What is the Panch Kedar closing date in 2026?

The four seasonal Panch Kedar temples close on different dates. The current 2026 dates are Rudranath – 17 October, Tungnath – 4 November, Kedarnath – 11 November and Madhyamaheshwar – 20 November. Kalpeshwar remains open throughout the year. Some closing dates are still listed as tentative, so confirm the latest update before travelling.

2. Which Panch Kedar temple closes first in 2026?

Rudranath is currently scheduled to close first, on 17 October 2026.

3. What is the Kedarnath closing date in 2026?

The Kedarnath Temple closing date is 11 November 2026, on Bhai Dooj. The temple opened for the 2026 season on 22 April.

4. When will Tungnath close in 2026?

The current Tungnath closing date is 4 November 2026. As closing dates can be subject to final temple announcements, check the latest update before planning your visit.

5. When does Rudranath close in 2026?

The Rudranath Temple closing date is 17 October 2026. After the temple closes, the ceremonial deity is taken to Gopinath Temple in Gopeshwar for winter worship.

6. When will Madhyamaheshwar close in 2026?

The current Madhyamaheshwar closing date is 20 November 2026. Confirm the final closing ceremony date before travelling.

7. Which Panch Kedar temple is open throughout the year?

Kalpeshwar Temple remains open throughout the year. It is the only Panch Kedar temple without the usual winter closure.

8. How many days are needed for Panch Kedar Yatra?

A complete Panch Kedar Yatra generally takes around 12 days with a well-planned itinerary. The exact duration can increase depending on your route, trekking pace, weather and rest days.

9. How difficult is the Panch Kedar Yatra?

The complete Panch Kedar Yatra is moderate to difficult. Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar involve long treks, Tungnath is shorter but steep, Rudranath is one of the toughest sections, while Kalpeshwar is much easier to reach.

10. What is the total trekking distance of Panch Kedar?

The distance depends on the route and itinerary. A complete Yatra involves multiple long trekking sections, including around 16 km to Kedarnath, 16 km to Madhyamaheshwar, 3.5 km to Tungnath, around 20 km on the Rudranath route and about 1–2 km to Kalpeshwar.

11. How much does Panch Kedar Yatra cost?

Panch Kedar yatra package starts from ₹40,000 per person. The package can include transport, accommodation, meals, guide support, local transfers, permits, tolls, parking and required registrations. The final price depends on the group size and vehicle option.

12. Is Panch Kedar suitable for beginners?

The complete Panch Kedar circuit is not an easy trek. Beginners can do it with proper preparation, but good fitness and regular walking practice are important because the journey includes long trekking days and high-altitude sections.

13. Do I need registration for Panch Kedar Yatra?

Yes, you should complete the applicable Uttarakhand pilgrimage registration before travelling and carry your valid ID and registration details. Requirements can change, so check the latest rules before your trip.

If you book with Roopkund Heaven, our team can manage the required registration process for you along with transport, accommodation and other trip arrangements.

14. Can I complete Panch Kedar without a guide??

Experienced trekkers may plan parts independently, but the complete circuit involves remote trails, multiple road transfers and changing mountain conditions. Beginners will generally find 

15. What is the best time to complete the Panch Kedar Yatra?

The main trekking season is generally May to June and September to October. These months offer better conditions for completing the full circuit. Avoid planning the complete Yatra too close to the closing dates because weather or road delays can affect your itinerary.