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Rudranath Temple Reopens May 18; Kedarnath Blanketed in Snow

The Lord Rudranath temple, the fourth Kedar, will reopen for devotees on May 18th. The announcement was made during Basant Panchami celebrations at the deity's winter seat, the Gopinath Temple. Meanwhile, the Kedarnath shrine region recently experienced heavy snowfall, intensifying the cold. Both the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples have already been ceremoniously closed for the winter season.

Key Points: Rudranath Temple to Reopen May 18 for Summer Season

  • Rudranath Temple opening date announced
  • Kedarnath area sees heavy snowfall
  • Kedarnath closed for winter in October 2025
  • Badrinath Dham closed in November 2025
2 min read

Uttarakhand: Lord Rudranath temple to reopen for summer season on May 18

The sacred Lord Rudranath temple in Uttarakhand will reopen on May 18. Get details on the opening ceremony and winter conditions at Kedarnath.

"The portals of Lord Rudranath... will be opened for the summer season on May 18 at 12:58 PM. - Temple Announcement"

Rudraprayag, January 23

The portals of Lord Rudranath, the fourth Kedar among the Panch Kedars, will be opened for the summer season on May 18 at 12:58 PM.

The date was announced on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami at the winter seat of Lord Rudranath, the Gopinath Temple.

Meanwhile, the cold has intensified in the shrine area of the Kedarnath Dham and its surrounding areas as heavy snowfall blanketed the entire region on Friday morning, the temple committee said.

Earlier, the portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on October 23, 2025, coinciding with Bhai Dooj (Kartik Shukla Saptami, Anuradha Nakshatra).

Before the closure, the temple was decorated with flowers, and the temple complex resonated with devotional music played by the Indian Army band and chants of "Jai Baba Kedar". Despite the cold weather, around 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the occasion.

Following the rituals, the swayambhu Shivling of Lord Kedarnath was adorned with local sacred flowers, including Kumja, Bukla, Rakh, and Brahmakamal, along with dried flowers and leaves, symbolically giving it a samadhi form. The sanctum doors were then closed for the winter season amid chants of "Jai Baba Kedar".

Meanwhile, the portals of Badrinath Dham were closed for the winter season on November 25, 2025. Badrinath is one of the holiest shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 Divya Desams and is also part of the Panch Badri temples, which include Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri.

The Badrinath temple, approximately 50 feet tall, features a small cupola topped with a gold-gilt roof. The shrine is divided into the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap. The Garbha Griha houses idols of Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber, Narad Rishi, Udhava, Nar, and Narayan, for a total of 15 idols in the complex. Opposite the main idol, the seated idol of Garud, the vehicle of Lord Badarinath, is placed in a prayer posture.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Amazing to see the Indian Army band participating in the Kedarnath closure ceremony. It's a beautiful blend of devotion and national pride. The description of the Shivling being adorned with local flowers like Brahmakamal is so vivid. Uttarakhand's spiritual heritage is truly unique.
A
Aman W
While the religious significance is paramount, I hope the state government and temple committees are also focusing on improving infrastructure and crowd management for the summer season. Last year, the roads and facilities were stretched thin. Safety and comfort for devotees is also a form of seva.
S
Sarah B
The detail in this article is fascinating. I had no idea about the Panch Kedars or the specific rituals involved in the winter closure—the samadhi form, the specific flowers. It's a profound tradition. Makes me want to learn more about Hindu pilgrimage sites.
V
Vikram M
Basant Panchami announcement for a May opening! That's planning ahead. It gives devotees ample time to prepare for the arduous trek to Rudranath. The Himalayas are not just geography; they are living theology. May all pilgrims have a safe and divine journey. Har Har Mahadev!
K
Kavya N
Reading about the heavy snowfall in the region and then the planned opening reminds us of the power of nature and faith. The priests and locals who maintain these traditions in such harsh climates deserve our gratitude. Om Namah Shivaya.

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