Kedarnath Temple’s opening date in 2024 depends on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritya and is declared on the Maha Shivaratri every year. The date of opening doors of the Kedarnath shrine is decided by priests of Omkareshwar Temple located in Ukhimath after the calculation of Hindu Panchang.
The closing date of Kedarnath is fixed and on the day Bhai Dooj after the Diwali festival around November.
The expected opening and closing dates of the Kedarnath Temple are:
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date in 2024:
| Opening Date | Â April 2024 (6:20 in the Morning) |
| Closing Date | 03 Nov 2024 (Eve of Bhaiya Dooj) |
On the day of the Opening of the Kedarnath Temple, a long ceremonial puja begins at the time of opening of the Kedarnath shrine.
Main Pujari Rawal of Kedarnath first takes blessing and view of lingam after the opening of Kedarnath temple.
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Kedarnath temple usually opens its doors for devotees in late April or early May, depending on the date of the Hindu festival of Akshaya Tritiya.
Kedarnath Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of Kedarnath temple marks the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra season in Uttarakhand, India. The exact opening date for Kedarnath temple may vary from year to year and is typically announced by the temple authorities a few weeks before the opening day.
The ceremony is typically attended by thousands of devotees who gather at the temple complex to witness the opening of the temple doors. The temple priests conduct special prayers and rituals, including the “Rudra Abhishek,” to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
During the opening ceremony, the temple authorities also perform a ritual where the idol of Lord Kedarnath from the temple and carried in a procession to the nearby Bhairav temple. This is followed by a procession back to the Kedarnath temple, where the idol is reinstated in its place.
The opening ceremony of Kedarnath temple is a significant event in Hindu culture and is considered an auspicious time to begin the Char Dham Yatra, which involves visiting the four holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
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Kedarnath Worshiped at Ukhimath in Winters
Winters start in November, there is heavy snowfall in Kedarnath and all the routes are closed. The shrine is also closed for 6 months.
Then the holy statue of Lord Shiva shifts from Kedarnath to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May.
It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who gather from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage.
The shrine closes on the week of Kartik, on the day of Bhai Dooj (October-November), and reopens after Akshay Tritya (April-May) every year.
During its closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.
Kedarnath Temple Opening: Pooja & Timings
Pooja begins early morning in Kedarnath temple every day from 4 am to 7 am. Different types of Paath and Mahadev Ji ki Aarti “Sampurna Aarti” happen in the evening daily.
Morning Puja in Kedarnath Temple (4 AM to 7 AM)
1. Maha Abhishek
2. Rudra Abhishek Puja
3. Laghu Rudra Abhishek Puja
4. Sodasopachar
5. Ashto Pachar Puja
6. Pancho Pachar Puja
7. Morning Puja
8. Balbhog
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Evening Pooja Archana & Paath (6 PM to 7:30 PM)
1. Shiv Sahasranamam Paath
2. Shiv Mahimastrotra Paath
3. Shiv Thandavastrotra Paath
4. Sampurna Aarti
Complete Travel Guide
- Kedarnath Yatra 2024 Guide
- Badrinath Yatra 2024 GuideÂ
- Gangotri Yatra 2024 Guide
- Yamunotri Yatra 2024 GuideÂ