Dehra Dun: Portals of famous Hindu shrines
of Kedarnath and Yamunotri in Garhwal Himalayas were closed
for the winter period today for pilgrims.
Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the head priest of the
Kedarnath temple Viresh Ling locked the doors of the shrine at
0957 hrs in the presence of senior administrative and police
officials, SDM Ukhimath Prakash Chandra said.
During the closing ceremony, hundreds of devotees
thronged the Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga, braving
the chilly winds.
After the shrine closure, the idol of Lord Shiva, to
which the Kedarnath temple is dedicated, was carried in a
palanquin to Ukhimath area.
Another shrine of Yamunotri was also closed at 1100 hrs
today for winters with senior administrative officials as well
as pilgrims witnessing the closing ceremony.
Later, the idol of Goddess Yamuna was taken in a
palanquin to the nearby Kharsali village where it would be
worshipped during the winters.
Yesterday the portals of Gangotri temple were also
closed for winters, while another famous shrine of Badrinath
would be closed on November 17.
Badrinath in Chamoli district, Kedarnath in
Rudraprayag district, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi
district, collectively known as Chardham, are closed in
October-November every year as they remain snow-bound during
winters. The shrines will reopen in April-May next year for
the pilgrims.
Bureau Report
