Shrines in Uttarakhand witness first snowfall as Char Dham Yatra nears end

The season's first snowfall hit the Yamunotri and Kedarnath shrines in Uttarakhand on Sunday, October 25, 2026, bringing joy to visiting pilgrims as the Char Dham Yatra entered its final phase. Vinit Posti, a specially invited member of the Shri Kedarnath-Badrinath Temple Committee, advised pilgrims to carry essential medicines and stay careful during the journey. At Yamunotri, devotees who came to seek blessings from Goddess Yamuna enjoyed the natural scenery during the snowfall. Girish Uniyal, secretary of the Panch Panda Samiti, noted that many pilgrims felt overjoyed seeing snowfall from close quarters for the first time. The India Meteorological Department had earlier forecast very light to light rain or snow at isolated spots across Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh districts. A rush of visitors during the final stretch of the summer pilgrimage has boosted business for local shopkeepers and traders. Around 6,000 pilgrims arrived at Yamunotri Dham on Saturday alone. Sunil Uniyal, secretary of the Yamunotri Temple Committee, stated that visitors continue to arrive from across the country, helping those involved in the yatra trade. The shrine portals at Yamunotri will shut down for the six-month winter season on November 11 on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. During the winter months, devotees can worship Goddess Yamuna at her winter home in Kharsali.

Context

The Char Dham Yatra is an important annual pilgrimage in Uttarakhand that draws thousands of devotees to high-altitude Himalayan shrines before freezing winter conditions close the temple doors. Weather shifts like sudden snowfalls are common in these mountain regions during the transition into winter.