Kedarnath is one of the Chota Char Dham, one of the sites of 12 Jyotirlingas in India and one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for Shiv Bhakts. Kedarnath sits at an altitude of 3584 metres in the Kedarnath Valley in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Pilgrimage to this site is one of the toughest tasks but also quite soul-fulfilling. Since it is located at such a high altitude, access becomes impossible during winters when the entire region is snow-bound. The temple only remains open from summer to start of winter and the dates vary, fixed according to the Hindu lunar calendar. You can travel to Kedarnath any time in between but make sure you do not arrive earlier than the opening date or after the closing date.
Kedarnath Opening & Closing Dates 2023
| Opening Date 2023 | April – May 2023 |
| Closing Date 2023 | Will be updated soon |
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date
The priests in Ukhimath, the winter home of Lord Kedarnath, decide the opening date. It depends on Shiv Ratri but the usual opening date is the most auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya or Aakha Teej. This year Kedarnath Dham Kapat will open for pilgrims on 06 May 2023 at 6.25 am. You could arrive here on 5 May and await the auspicious opening of the temple but it would be better to arrive on 6 May and thus avoid having to wait.
Akshaya Tritiya importance: Akshaya Tritiya is considered as one of the most auspicious days in the lunar year for Hindus as well as Jains. It occurs on the third lunar day of the Shukla Paksha of Vaisakha month. You will note that maximum number of weddings take place on this day in summer. Akshay means never diminishing and the day brings good luck and success. Many people start new business ventures on this day because it is bound to succeed. Hindus believe Treta Yuga commenced on Akshar Tritiya. More relevant to Kedarnath is that Ganga, the holy River, descended to earth from the heavens on this day. It is commonly believed that Lord Shiva received Ganga in his knotted hair in order to reduce her force, which would otherwise have destroyed earth. The day is also considered as auspicious for performing meritorious tasks and which task is more meritorious than bathing in the Alaknanda and worshipping the Lord?
Kedarnath Temple Closing Date
The second day after Diwali (or the first day of Kartik month) is the day when the Kedarnath temple officially closes and the Lord travels to his winter home in Ukhimath. Starting from November the region experiences heavy snowfall and the roads become impassable.
The closing date is usually announced later on. For pilgrims, what is more important is the starting date. If you can make it to be present there on Akshaya Tritiya, then you gain even more merit by worshipping the Lord here on this day.
