April 2025 India Travel: Permits, Dates & Closures

April is a planning month in Indian travel. Festivals cluster in the first half, pilgrimage registrations open for the summer, mountain roads begin to clear, and some wildlife parks prepare to close for the monsoon. This round-up gathers the dates, permits and seasonal closures most likely to affect a trip in April 2025.

Important: dates and rules in India can change at short notice, and festivals tied to lunar calendars can shift by a day depending on local observance. Treat this as a planning guide and always confirm with official sources before you book or travel.

Festival dates for April 2025

These are the major observances that can affect crowds, transport and opening hours. Dates are as widely listed for 2025; regional observance may differ.

Ram Navami: widely observed on 6 April 2025. Expect large crowds in Ayodhya and at Ram temples across the country.
Mahavir Jayanti: around 10 April 2025, an important day for Jain communities. Jain pilgrimage sites such as Palitana and Shravanabelagola may be busier.
Baisakhi / Vaisakhi: celebrated on 13 April 2025 in Punjab according to most listings, with the solar new year (Mesha Sankranti) on 14 April. Amritsar and Talwandi Sabo see major gatherings.
Solar new year festivals, around 14 April: Rongali Bihu in Assam, Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, is generally observed on 14 or 15 April depending on the calendar followed; in West Bengal it is often on 15 April.
Ambedkar Jayanti: 14 April, a national holiday. Government offices and some monuments may have altered arrangements.
Good Friday: 18 April 2025, with Easter on 20 April. Expect services and celebrations in Goa, Kerala, the Northeast and other regions with large Christian communities.

Note that Eid al-Fitr in India fell at the end of March 2025, so the Ramadan fast had ended before April began.

Pilgrimage registrations and openings

Char Dham, Uttarakhand

The Char Dham shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath close for winter and reopen in spring. For 2025, Yamunotri and Gangotri were announced to open around Akshaya Tritiya, 30 April, with Kedarnath and Badrinath following in early May. Uttarakhand requires pilgrims to register before the yatra, through the state’s official registration system. Registration windows usually open weeks in advance, so if you plan a May trip, April is the month to register and book.

Amarnath Yatra

The Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir takes place in summer, and registration for it typically opens in spring. For 2025, advance registration was announced to begin in mid-April. Registration usually requires a compulsory health certificate from an authorised doctor. Check the official Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board channels for current procedures.

Mountain roads and passes

Atal Tunnel and Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh: The Atal Tunnel generally keeps the Manali–Lahaul route accessible through much of the year, subject to weather. Rohtang Pass itself usually reopens to tourists later in spring, and vehicle permits are required. Check with Himachal authorities before travelling.
Ladakh: Road access via Zoji La and the Manali–Leh highway depends on snow clearance and may not be fully open for tourists in April. Flying to Leh is the reliable option early in the season.
Spiti and high passes: Kunzum Pass and other high routes are often still closed in April. Approach Spiti via the Shimla–Kinnaur side, and check road status daily.
North Sikkim: Areas such as Gurudongmar and Yumthang require permits and may be affected by weather and road conditions. Arrange permits through registered tour operators.

Permits to know about

Inner Line Permit (ILP): Indian citizens from outside these states need an ILP to visit Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Many can be applied for online.
Protected Area Permit (PAP): Foreign nationals need PAPs for certain areas, including parts of the Northeast, Sikkim and Ladakh. Rules differ for different regions and can change.
Ladakh: Visitors to certain areas such as Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri typically need permits, which can usually be arranged online or through local operators.
Sikkim: Permits are needed for Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim, usually arranged through registered operators.

Wildlife parks: open, closing and best-for-April

April is prime tiger season in central India. As water sources shrink, animals visit waterholes more often, improving sighting chances. Parks such as Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura and Tadoba are typically open, with safari bookings available through official state portals. Book early, particularly for weekends.

In the Northeast, Kaziranga National Park in Assam generally welcomes visitors through the dry season and closes for the monsoon around the start of May, with dates set by park authorities each year. April is effectively the last full month for most visitors, but parts of the park and safari types may close earlier if conditions change.

Many parks across India close core zones for the monsoon from around July to September or October. If you are planning ahead for summer, check closure dates before you book.

Gardens and seasonal attractions

Srinagar’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, often described as Asia’s largest tulip garden, usually opens in late March and stays open for a few weeks while the flowers last. In 2025 it opened in late March, so early April is typically the peak bloom window, though weather determines how long the season runs.

In the Himalayan foothills, rhododendrons bloom through spring, and in many parts of Sikkim and Uttarakhand April is a good time to see them. Bloom timing varies with altitude and weather.

Monument notes

The Taj Mahal in Agra is closed to general visitors on Fridays.
Many museums close on Mondays; check individual schedules.
On national holidays and major festivals, monuments can be crowded and some may have altered arrangements.

Weather and health advisories

Heat on the northern and central plains rises through April, and heatwave conditions are possible later in the month. Pay attention to India Meteorological Department advisories. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms are common in the Northeast, Bengal, Odisha and Kerala. Stay hydrated, plan outdoor activities for early morning and evening, and carry oral rehydration salts.