Kedarnath Temple Opens for Devotees, Char Dham Yatra 2026 Begins with Tight Security

Kedarnath, 22nd April 2026: The portals of the sacred Kedarnath Temple were ceremonially opened at 8 am on Wednesday, marking a key milestone in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. The opening rituals were conducted as per tradition amid chants and Vedic ceremonies.

As per established customs, the eastern gate of the temple was opened first, following which the chief priest (Rawal), temple authorities, and designated stakeholders entered the sanctum to begin rituals. The sacred ash that had been applied to the Jyotirlinga at the time of the temple’s closure last year was removed and distributed among devotees as prasad.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the shrine on the occasion and performed the first puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the completion of rituals, the temple gates were opened to the public, and darshan commenced for devotees.

Authorities have enforced stricter regulations for this year’s pilgrimage. The temple committee has prohibited the use of mobile phones within a 50–60 metre radius of the main shrine. Designated zones have been created for photography, and the use of mobile phones is restricted to these areas. Filming reels, taking photos, or recording videos inside the main temple premises has been completely banned.

According to tradition, no bhog (offering) will be made to the deity on the first day. The ritual begins only after the opening of the Bhairavnath Temple, scheduled for April 25. Thereafter, offerings of yellow rice will be made, marking the start of regular rituals.

The Bhairavnath Temple, located about 500 metres south of Kedarnath, is believed to be the guardian deity of the shrine. Devotees traditionally visit Bhairavnath before completing their Kedarnath pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the region continues to experience cold conditions, with temperatures hovering below freezing due to recent snowfall in the Kedarnath valley. Despite the weather, a large number of devotees gathered for the opening ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message, extended greetings to devotees and highlighted the spiritual and cultural significance of the Char Dham Yatra. He also noted ongoing infrastructure development, including improved roads, seating capacity, and medical facilities, aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience.

Security has been significantly tightened across the shrine, with multiple agencies deployed and surveillance intensified to ensure a safe and orderly pilgrimage season.