Panch Kedar Temple stays closed for six months in the winter. During this time, the idol of each Panch Kedar temple’s deity is worshiped in any other specific temple at a lower altitude. The winter throne of Tungnath Mahadev is in Shri Markandeya Temple, Ukhimath.

The rituals for the opening ceremony of Tungnath Mandir start three days before the exact opening date announced by the committee. According to the rituals, A palanquin procession called "Utsav Doli" is moved from Ukhimath (Tungnath's winter seat) to the Tungnath Temple shrine in Chopta in three days' intervals.

On the first day, the Doli procession starts from the Markendeya temple and ends at the Bhootnath temple. After one day of rest in Bhootnath temple, procession moves forward towards Tungnath temple and reaches Chopta on morning. On the same day, doors to the temple are opened for devotees to complete their Tungnath Yatra in the cancer ascendant between 11:15 AM to 12:00 noon