Portals of Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines were closed for the winter season, on Bhaiya Duj today.
Amid sounds of conch shells and drum beating, chief priests of both the shrines performed special puja and closed the doors for pilgrims for a period of six months, in the presence of administrative officials, Vice Chairman of Chardham Vikas Parishad Surat Ram Nautiyal said.
Kedarnath shrine, situated in Rudraprayag district, was closed at 0830 hrs in the morning while Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district was closed at 1345 hrs, he added.
Thousands of pilgrims were present in the premises of the temples, braving chilly winds at the closing ceremony.
Another Himalayan shrine of Gangotri, situated at a height of over 10,000 feet in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, was closed on the occasion of “Annakut parv” on Saturday. Badrinath shrine, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Chamoli district would be closed on November 18.
The four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, collectively known as Chardham are closed in October-November every year as the area remains snow-bound during winters and reopened in April-May next year.
During the six-month long Yatra season, the four shrines attract lakhs of pilgrims from home and abroad every year.
