When the Char Dham temples close for winter, worship continues at their winter seats: Kedarnath at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Badrinath at Narsingh Temple in Joshimath (with Yogdhyan Badri at Pandukeshwar), Gangotri at Mukhba, and Yamunotri at Kharsali. These are far easier to reach than the high-altitude shrines. Winter Char Dham ka darshan in sthano par hota hai. Contact Uttarakhand Yatri on WhatsApp for a winter route quote.
Winter Char Dham Yatra 2026-27: Winter Seats, Route & Taxi Guide
Every year, as snow closes over the high Himalayan shrines, the Char Dham deities "come down the mountain." The pilgrimage doesn't end — it moves to four winter seats that stay open and accessible through the cold months.
The four winter seats
- Kedarnath → Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath (Rudraprayag district) — daily aartis and offerings continue here through winter
- Badrinath → Narsingh Temple, Joshimath, with worship also associated with Yogdhyan Badri, Pandukeshwar
- Gangotri → Mukhba village (near Harsil)
- Yamunotri → Kharsali village (near the Janki Chatti trek base)
Why people choose the winter seats
- No difficult trek — these are road-accessible villages and towns, not high-altitude treks
- Calmer experience — far fewer crowds than the May-June peak
- Open when the main temples aren't — a real option for anyone who missed the season, or for senior travelers who find the high-altitude yatra too demanding
Sample route (6 days from Dehradun or Haridwar)
- Day 1: Dehradun to Barkot
- Day 2: Kharsali (Yamunotri's winter seat), then on toward Uttarkashi
- Day 3: Mukhba (Gangotri's winter seat) via Harsil, return to Uttarkashi
- Day 4: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi/Ukhimath area
- Day 5: Ukhimath (Kedarnath's winter seat), then toward Joshimath
- Day 6: Joshimath and Pandukeshwar (Badrinath's winter seat), then begin the return
You can also take a single seat as a short trip — for example, Ukhimath combines naturally with a Chopta visit, and Joshimath pairs with Auli.
Winter driving: what we plan around
Winter changes the driving, not just the weather. Higher stretches such as the Harsil-Mukhba road and the Joshimath area can see snow and icy patches, and daylight is short. We plan routes to avoid mountain driving after dark, check conditions before confirming pickup, and recommend Innova or Innova Crysta for stability on these roads.
Book your winter Char Dham trip
Share your dates, group size, and whether you want all four seats or just one, and we'll plan a realistic route with a fixed fare.
Plan Your Winter Yatra on WhatsApp or call +91 7454817448.
Written by Yatri Admin
Native traveler and road assistant writer covering pilgrimage regulations, local insights, and route condition updates for Uttarakhand Yatri.