Gangotri Dham is one of the four sacred shrines of the Char Dham Yatra and the revered origin of River Ganga. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the temple remains open only for a specific period each year due to extreme weather conditions.
The Gangotri Temple opens every year on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya and remains accessible to pilgrims until Bhai Dooj, shortly after Diwali. During the winter months, when heavy snowfall makes Gangotri inaccessible, the idol of Goddess Ganga is ceremonially shifted to Mukhba Village, where daily worship continues until the temple reopens.
| Gangotri Temple | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple | Gangotri, Uttarakhand |
| Opening Date | 19 April 2026 |
| Expected Closing | Closes on Bhaiya Dooj (after Diwali) |
The opening of Gangotri Temple marks the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season for devotees visiting the sacred source of River Ganga. Every year, the temple opens on Akshay Tritiya after a ceremonial procession of Goddess Ganga from Mukhba Village to Gangotri.
Opening Date: The Gangotri Dham is set to open on 19 April 2026 on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya.
The opening ceremony is marked by:
The opening date is announced annually according to the Hindu calendar by the temple committee and local religious authorities.
Note: The exact date changes every year according to the Hindu calendar.
| Gangotri Temple | Duration (Timings) |
|---|---|
| Morning Opening & Aarti Timing | 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM |
| Morning General Darshan Time | 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Afternoon Break | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. |
| Evening Aarti Timing | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Evening General Darshan Time | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Gangotri Temple closes every year on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, marking the end of the Char Dham pilgrimage season. Before the temple closes, special rituals are performed and the idol of Goddess Ganga is taken back to Mukhba Village for winter worship.
After closure of Gangotri Temple:
