RUDRAPRAYAG (U’Khand), Oct 23: The sacred Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas was closed for the winter season on Thursday morning amid Vedic chants and rituals, marking the end of this year’s Chardham Yatra to the high-altitude Himalayan temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
After special prayers, the doors of Baba Kedar were closed for devotees at 8:30 am, officials of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with hundreds of pilgrims, priests, and officials, attended the ceremony.
Following the closure, the palanquin (doli) of Lord Kedarnath began its journey to the deity’s winter abode at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. The procession will halt at Rampur on Thursday night and reach Guptkashi on Friday before arriving at Ukhimath on October 25.
The portals will reopen in April–May next year, with the exact date to be announced on Mahashivratri.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami prayed for the well-being of the people and said the Chardham Yatra 2025 concluded successfully and peacefully, crediting improved infrastructure and planning.
“This year, a record number of devotees visited Baba Kedar’s shrine. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, Uttarakhand is being developed as the spiritual capital of Sanatan Dharma,” Dhami said.
He added that the yatra has strengthened Uttarakhand’s economy and spiritual tourism, connecting the “Devbhoomi” with devotees across the world. Dhami also reviewed ongoing development projects in Kedarnath and temples linked to the Manaskhand circuit.
According to official data, 17.57 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath this year, while the total footfall across Chardham shrines and Hemkund Sahib reached 49.67 lakh, setting a new record for religious tourism in the state. (Agencies)
