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FESTIVALS · UTTARAKHAND · MAY

Uttarakhand festivals in May.

9 festivals this month — dates, locations, and travel tips.

Badri-Kedar Festival

Joshimath

Festivities marking the annual opening of both Badrinath and Kedarnath temple doors, with the doli (palanquin) procession departing Joshimath for Badrinath.

May (varies)

Badrinath Temple Opening (Kapaat Kholna)

Badrinath

The sacred temple doors open for the season after winter closure, marked by elaborate Vedic rituals and the arrival of the deity's idol from Joshimath.

Early May

Chaukori Tea Festival

Chaukori

Festival at the Chaukori tea gardens — among India's highest at 2,010m — with tea-tasting sessions, plantation tours, and Kumaoni cultural performances against Panchachuli peaks.

May (varies)

Gangotri Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya)

Gangotri

The temple doors open for the pilgrimage season on Akshaya Tritiya with chanting, pujas, and the return of the sacred idol from Mukhba village.

Early May (Akshaya Tritiya)

Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple Festival

Guptkashi

Celebrations at the ancient Vishwanath Temple when the Kedarnath pilgrimage season opens, with the deity's winter-seat rituals and devotional gatherings.

May (kapaat opening)

Kedarnath Opening

Kedarnath

Temple doors open after 6 months of winter. First darshan of the season. Deity carried back from Ukhimath.

Late April / Early May

Tungnath Temple Opening

Tungnath

The world's highest Shiva temple opens after winter with ritثals and the return of the deity's idol from Makkumath village.

May (Akshaya Tritiya)

Tungnath Temple Opening

Chopta

The kapaat (doors) of the world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680m open with Vedic rituals,ثم the deity is carried in a palanquin procession from Makkumath winter seat.

May (Akshaya Tritiya)

Yamunotri Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya)

Yamunotri

The temple doors open for the Char Dham season with rituals at the hot springs and the sacred Divya Shila; pilgrims cook rice in the thermal water as prasad.

Early May (Akshaya Tritiya)

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