Badrinath Temple Reopens With Vedic Rituals, Marks Full Start Of Char Dham Yatra Season

The Badrinath temple portals in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayan region reopened for devotees on Thursday morning after a six-month winter closure , formally marking the full commencement of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 pilgrimage season.

The shrine, located in Chamoli district at an altitude of around 3,100 metres, opened at 6.15 am following elaborate Vedic rituals and chanting of mantras . The ceremonial opening, known as the kapaat opening , was performed amid devotional hymns, drumbeats, and religious chants of “Jai Badri Vishal”.

The temple complex, situated between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges , was heavily decorated with flowers , with reports noting the use of several quintals of floral arrangements. Traditional cultural performances, including local devotional songs and dances from nearby villages, added to the festive atmosphere.

Thousands of pilgrims from across India and abroad gathered at the shrine for the opening darshan. Estimates suggest over 15,000 devotees participated in the ceremony. The first prayers of the day were offered in the name of Lord Badrinath in accordance with age-old tradition.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt attended the event and extended greetings to pilgrims. CM Dhami also reiterated the government’s focus on safe travel, environmental protection, and improved pilgrimage facilities this season.

Officials confirmed that with the reopening of Badrinath, the entire Char Dham circuit, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath, is now fully open , officially beginning the high-altitude pilgrimage season. Additional arrangements for crowd control, medical support, and highway safety have been strengthened due to expected heavy footfall in the coming weeks.