Kedarnath Dham Winter Puja 2026: Baba Kedar Moves To Ukhimath, Know Where Devotees Can Seek Darshan

Kedarnath Dham Winter Puja 2026: The doors of Lord Kedarnath Dham, located in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, have closed for the winter. However, the worship and darshan of Baba Kedar will remain. For the next six months, devotees will be able to visit Baba Kedar at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

The winter worship of Lord Kedarnath here has a centuries-old tradition. Kedarnath, nestled among the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, experiences heavy snowfall during the winter. Consequently, the temple's doors are closed annually, in accordance with religious traditions.

Following this, the five-headed idol of Lord Kedarnath is brought to its winter seat, Ukhimath, with due ceremonial rites. It is believed that even after the doors of the Kedarnath Temple are closed, Baba Kedarnath remains undisturbed.

Only the place of his worship changes. This is why, despite the closure of the pilgrimage to Kedarnath, the tradition of darshan and worship continues during the winter season. ALSO READ | Why Chhath Puja Is More Than A Festival For Bihar's Migrants Living Away From Home The Omkareshwar Temple, located in Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, is the winter worship site of Lord Kedarnath.

The five-faced movable idol of Kedarnath is installed here, and regular worship is performed. This temple is associated with ancient traditions of Lord Shiva. According to local religious beliefs, Ukhimath is also linked to the story of Usha and Aniruddha.

During the winter, Lord Madmaheshwar is also worshipped here along with Baba Kedar. ALSO READ | Chhath Puja 2026: Why Is Bottle Gourd Rice A Must-Have On Nahay-Khay? Know Religious And Scientific Reasons As scheduled by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the doors of Kedarnath Temple were closed at 8:30 am on November 11, 2026.

Prior to this, special prayers and rituals began at 4 am. Following the closing of the doors amid chanting of Vedic mantras, Baba Kedar's palanquin departed for its winter residence. The palanquin rested in Rampur on the night of November 11th.

On November 12th, it will rest overnight at the Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi. After this, on November 13th, the palanquin will arrive at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. This is where the winter worship of Baba Kedarnath will take place for the next six months.

Kedarnath is located at an altitude of approximately 3,583 meters above sea level. Regular pilgrimages are not possible during winter due to snowfall and harsh weather. As part of the winter worship tradition, the movable idol of Lord Kedarnath is brought to Ukhimath.

Devotees can worship and have darshan of Baba Kedarnath here. Thus, the tradition of worshipping Lord Shiva continues even after the main temple in the Himalayas is closed. The doors of the Kedarnath shrine opened on April 22nd this year.

According to the temple committee and administration, more than 19.20 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath during the 2026 pilgrimage. Now, during the winter pilgrimage, devotees will have the opportunity to visit the shrine in Ukhimath.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based solely on beliefs and information. It's important to note that ABPLive.com does not endorse any beliefs or information. Consult a relevant expert before acting on any information or information.

During winter, Lord Kedarnath is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. His five-headed idol is ceremonially moved there for six months. The doors of Kedarnath Temple closed at 8:30 am on November 11, 2026, after special prayers and rituals, before Baba Kedar's palanquin departed for Ukhimath.

The doors of Kedarnath Temple will reopen for the summer pilgrimage in 2027. The exact date and auspicious time are yet to be officially announced. Harshika Mishra is a digital journalist at ABP Live covering astrology and religion, with over three years of experience.

An AIMC New Delhi postgraduate, she simplifies Vedic astrology, numerology, and Vastu for modern readers, blending traditional wisdom with Gen-Z perspectives, career guidance, and practical life decisions.