Winter Char Dham Yatra: Where do the deities go when the Char Dham is closed for the winter season?

Come winter, when the revered Char Dham shrines of Uttarakhand - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri - close their doors to devotees, does that mean worship halts for some months, at least until the weather is favourable for travel? For those unfamiliar with what Char Dham is all about, this is a legitimate query. Where do the deities go when the Char Dham is closed for the winter season? Here's what happens: Though heavy snowfall makes these sacred sites inaccessible, worship doesn’t stop. In fact, the deities symbolically descend to their winter abodes, where rituals and prayers continue through the cold months. These alternate abodes are places where the winter effects are not extreme, and people can still worship without difficulties. This tradition allows devotees to continue their pilgrimage in a more accessible and serene setting, giving way to what’s now known as the Winter Char Dham Yatra .

Kedarnath to UkhimathWhen the portals of the Kedarnath temple close, usually in late October or early November, the idol of Lord Shiva in his Kedarnath form is ceremonially transferred to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath village. Ukhimath is a beautiful village near Guptkashi in Rudraprayag district, where the procession is carried out with great devotion. Ukhimath then becomes the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath, and daily worship continues there until the temple reopens in summer, back in Kedarnath.


Badrinath to JoshimathSimilarly, when Badrinath Dham closes its gates, Lord Badri Vishal (Vishnu) is brought to Narsingh Temple in Joshimath, around 45 km away from the original Badrinath temple. This temple houses the idol of Lord Narsingh, one of Vishnu’s incarnations, and becomes the winter home of Badrinath’s deity.

Gangotri to Mukhba villageLocated near Harsil in Uttarkashi district, the serene and quaint Mukhba village becomes the abode of the idol of Goddess Ganga, originally worshipped at the Gangotri Temple. This move happens amid vibrant celebrations, with locals accompanying the palanquin in traditional attire. Mukhba is considered the ancestral home of Goddess Ganga.


Yamunotri to Kharsali VillageThe idol of Goddess Yamuna from the Yamunotri Temple is taken to Kharsali Village, just a few kilometres below the original shrine. Kharsali is believed to be the winter residence of the Goddess, where priests from the same family continue daily worship. The village comes alive with festive devotion as pilgrims visit the winter shrine.

Significance of the traditionThe shifting of deities to lower-altitude temples is more than a practical adjustment. The tradition reflects a centuries-old balance between nature and faith. The higher reaches of Uttarakhand, where the deities originally reside, experience some of the coldest winters in the area. From treacherous snow-covered routes to extremely low temperatures, places like Kedarnath and Gangotri become extremely risky to visit. But with these places taking up the role of alternate abodes for the deities, worship continues for pilgrims.

During the winter months, these sites become quieter and more intimate. The crowds thin, the air feels gentler, and the essence of devotion takes on a reflective stillness. Pilgrims who undertake the Winter Char Dham Yatra often describe it as a more personal experience, one that connects them deeply with both the divine and the serenity of the mountains.