Quick answer (as of 9 October 2026): The 2026 Char Dham Yatra has drawn 56.89 lakh pilgrims up to 7 October, passing the previous record of 56.13 lakh set in 2023, ETV Bharat reported from Tourism Department figures. Badrinath leads with 19,13,895 pilgrims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Kedarnath between 22 and 25 October, but no official schedule has been released. Winter closing dates for 2026 have not yet been announced.

Every autumn, as the Himalayan shrines prepare to close for winter, families who have not yet made the journey start asking the same questions: how crowded has it been, when do the doors close, and is there still time? This year the headline is a record season. Below are the numbers as reported, the news about Kedarnath, and an explanation of how the closing dates are traditionally fixed, so you know what to watch for.

A record season: 56.89 lakh pilgrims

Reported. ETV Bharat reported that Tourism Department figures up to 7 October 2026 put the season's total at 56.89 lakh pilgrims, passing the previous record of 56.13 lakh set in 2023. Winter closing dates for the shrines had not been announced as of the report (Source: ETV Bharat, 8 October 2026).

ShrinePilgrims up to 7 October 2026
Badrinath19,13,895
Kedarnath16,78,866
Gangotri9,09,983
Yamunotri8,10,343
Total56.89 lakh

Source for all figures: ETV Bharat, 8 October 2026, citing Uttarakhand Tourism Department data. The season is not over, so the final total will be higher once the shrines close.

Reading the numbers: Badrinath and Kedarnath together account for well over half of all visits. Badrinath is reachable by road, which makes it accessible to elderly pilgrims and families, while Kedarnath involves a trek or helicopter. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the shrines of the Ganga and the Yamuna, are usually the first two stops on the traditional west-to-east circuit.

PM Modi may visit Kedarnath, 22 to 25 October

Expected, not confirmed. Deccan Chronicle reported that officials in the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Kedarnath between 22 and 25 October to offer prayers and review reconstruction work at Kedarpuri. The Prime Minister's Office has not officially released the schedule. A Special Protection Group team has inspected Kedarnath and submitted a security assessment (Source: Deccan Chronicle, 30 September 2026).

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What it means for pilgrims: high-profile visits usually bring temporary security arrangements and possible restrictions on movement for a period. If you plan to be at Kedarnath in late October, watch for official advisories from the Uttarakhand government and the temple committee, and keep your plans flexible. Read more about the Kedarnath Temple.

How the winter closing dates are announced

The Char Dham shrines sit high in the Himalaya and close each winter, when the deities are worshipped at their winter seats lower down. The 2026 closing dates have not yet been announced. Official 2026 closing dates will be announced by the temple committees. Customarily, the pattern is:

  • Badrinath: the closing date is customarily announced on Vijayadashami. In 2026, Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang, India), so this is the day to watch for the announcement.
  • Kedarnath: customarily closes around Bhai Dooj, after Diwali. See Bhai Dooj 2026.
  • Yamunotri: customarily also closes around Bhai Dooj.
  • Gangotri: customarily closes around Govardhan Puja and Annakut, in the Diwali week. See Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026.

Where the deities go in winter: after closing, worship continues at the traditional winter seats: the Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath for Kedarnath, Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath for Badrinath, Mukhba village for Gangotri and Kharsali village for Yamunotri. Many pilgrims who miss the main season visit these winter seats instead.

Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 (Drik Panchang, India), so on the customary pattern Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri would close in the days around it. These are traditional patterns only, not the 2026 dates. Do not book travel around a closing date until the temple committee has announced it.

Planning a late-season visit

  • Check the weather and road advisories: late October and early November bring cold nights and the chance of early snow at the higher shrines.
  • Register officially: use only the Uttarakhand government's official yatra registration and booking channels.
  • Allow buffer days: Himalayan roads can close at short notice, and a high-profile visit may bring temporary restrictions.
  • Combine with Diwali at home: if you cannot travel this season, our Diwali 2026 guide and Dhanteras 2026 guide cover the festival week, which begins with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November.

Char Dham 2026 news at a glance

ItemStatusSource (date)
Season total 56.89 lakh pilgrims, recordReportedETV Bharat (8 Oct)
Previous record 56.13 lakh (2023)ReportedETV Bharat (8 Oct)
PM visit to Kedarnath, 22-25 OctExpected; PMO schedule not releasedDeccan Chronicle (30 Sep)
2026 winter closing datesNot yet announcedETV Bharat (8 Oct)

Frequently asked questions

How many pilgrims have visited the Char Dham in 2026?

ETV Bharat reported on 8 October 2026 that Tourism Department figures up to 7 October put the season's total at 56.89 lakh pilgrims, passing the previous record of 56.13 lakh set in 2023.

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Which Char Dham shrine had the most pilgrims in 2026?

Badrinath, with 19,13,895 pilgrims up to 7 October, followed by Kedarnath (16,78,866), Gangotri (9,09,983) and Yamunotri (8,10,343), according to the same ETV Bharat report.

Is PM Modi visiting Kedarnath in October 2026?

It is expected but not confirmed. Deccan Chronicle reported on 30 September 2026 that officials in the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office said the Prime Minister may visit between 22 and 25 October. The PMO has not officially released a schedule.

When will Kedarnath and Badrinath close for winter in 2026?

The official 2026 closing dates had not been announced as of the 7 October figures. By custom, Badrinath's closing date is announced on Vijayadashami, and Kedarnath and Yamunotri close around Bhai Dooj. The temple committees will announce the 2026 dates.

Will this page be updated?

Yes. News was checked on 9 October 2026; we will update the page when closing dates and any visit schedule are officially announced.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

News checked on 9 October 2026; we will update as announcements change. Pilgrim figures are as reported by ETV Bharat from Tourism Department data up to 7 October 2026. The Prime Minister's visit is expected, not confirmed. We have deliberately not given 2026 closing dates: the section on closing dates describes custom only, and the official dates will be announced by the temple committees.