When the four Char Dham shrines close for winter, worship moves to lower villages: Kedarnath to Ukhimath, Gangotri to Mukhba, Yamunotri to Kharsali, and Badrinath to Pandukeshwar and Joshimath. The nearest airport for most of these is Dehradun (DED), also called Jolly Grant, served by IndiGo and Air India among others. Check the temple committee for current dates.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
The high Himalayan shrines are snowbound for about six months each year. The deities do not stop receiving worshippers, though. They move down the mountain, and many pilgrims travel to the winter seats instead.
Where do the Char Dham deities go in winter?
Each shrine has its own winter abode, and the move is made in a ceremonial palanquin procession after the doors close:
- Kedarnath: the deity’s palanquin goes to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
- Yamunotri: Goddess Yamuna’s palanquin goes to Kharsali village, with the palanquin of Someshwar Devta accompanying it.
- Gangotri: the deity moves to Mukhba, a village near Harsil.
- Badrinath: Uddhav Ji and Kuber Ji stay at Pandukeshwar for the winter, while the throne of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is taken to the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.
Sources describe the Badrinath arrangement in slightly different ways, with some naming Pandukeshwar as the winter seat and others Joshimath. Both places feature in the temple’s winter worship, so confirm the details with the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee before planning a visit.
When do the shrines close in 2026?
Closing dates are fixed each year by the temple priests and the committees, and they are announced close to the date. For 2026 we could not confirm any official closing date, so we are not printing one. Look for the notice from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, and for Gangotri and Yamunotri, the local temple committees or Uttarakhand government announcements.
For a sense of the pattern, last year’s closings were reported as follows:
- Kedarnath and Yamunotri: Thursday, 23 October 2025, which was Bhai Dooj
- Badrinath: 25 November 2025
Gangotri closed on 2 November in 2024. The dates move with the lunar calendar, so last year’s day is a guide, not a promise. Some of this year’s shrines may already have closed by the time you read this.
Which airport should you fly into?
Dehradun Airport, with the code DED, is also known as Jolly Grant Airport. It is in Jauligrant, about 25 km south of Dehradun city, and roughly 20 km from Rishikesh and 35 km from Haridwar. From there you continue by road.
A published list of airlines at DED shows:
- IndiGo: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and others
- Air India: Delhi and Mumbai
- Air India Express: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai
- Alliance Air: Pantnagar and Pithoragarh
The list is undated, and airlines change their schedules, so confirm the current route on the airline’s own site before you commit.
How do you plan a winter trip to these seats?
Winter in the hills is a different season from summer yatra. Roads can be affected by snow and landslides, and weather can delay a flight or a drive. A few habits help:
- Leave buffer time between your flight and any onward road journey, and avoid fixing a tight same-day flight back.
- Choose a fare that allows changes if your plans are weather-dependent. IndiGo offers Saver and Flexi Plus, and Air India mainline economy offers Value, Classic and Flex. Compare the change rules before you pay.
- Carry warm clothing in your cabin bag in case checked baggage is delayed.
- Check road conditions with local authorities before you start the drive from the airport.
A small aviation note: the same airport is listed under two spellings, Jauligrant and Jolly Grant, so do not be surprised to see both on tickets and maps. The code on your booking is always DED.
Cold-weather trips also bring a few packing questions. Power banks and spare laptop batteries are prohibited in checked baggage by at least one Indian airport authority’s security page, so keep them in your cabin bag. Liquids in cabin baggage are limited to containers of up to 100 ml each, all inside one clear resealable bag of up to 1 litre. Web check-in and airport check-in are free on Indian airlines, so there is no need to pay anyone for them.
Is it worth visiting the winter seats?
One report says daily worship and darshan continue at the winter abode of Yamunotri, and worship also continues at the other winter seats. That lets you keep the connection to the deity even though the main shrines are snowbound. The cold is real at any of these places, so pack for it.
Common Questions
Where does Kedarnath go in winter?
The deity’s palanquin is taken to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where worship continues through the winter.
Where does Gangotri go in winter?
To Mukhba village near Harsil, after the temple doors close.
Where does Yamunotri go in winter?
To Kharsali village, where the Goddess Yamuna stays until the temple reopens in spring.
Where does Badrinath go in winter?
Uddhav Ji and Kuber Ji stay at Pandukeshwar, and the throne of Adi Guru Shankaracharya goes to the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath. Confirm with the temple committee.
Which airport is nearest for the Char Dham?
Dehradun (DED), also called Jolly Grant. It is about 25 km south of Dehradun city, with onward travel by road.
Can I fly directly to the shrines?
No. Fly to Dehradun and continue by road. Check current local transport and road conditions before you travel.
Heading to Dehradun for a winter yatra? Search and compare flights on HappyFares with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, set a price alert, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help you find a good option.
Temple closing dates, airline schedules and road conditions can change, so confirm current details with the temple committees, the airline and local authorities before you travel.
