Hans News Service Rudraprayag/Uttarkashi

Theportals of the Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines were closed for the winter season on Wednesday following prescribed rituals and the chanting of Vedic mantras. While the Kedarnath shrine was closed at 8.30 am, the portals of Yamunotri were shut at 10.28 am. More than 19.13 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath, and over 8.84 lakh visited Yamunotri during this year’s pilgrimage season.

The process for closing the portals of Kedarnath temple began at 4 am with special prayers and religious ceremonies. All rituals were performed in accordance with traditional customs before the temple portals were closed at the auspicious time of 8.30 am.

After the closure, the ceremonial palanquin carrying the deity of Lord Kedarnath was taken around the temple complex before beginning its journey to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the deity’s winter abode. According to the schedule, the palanquin will halt overnight at Rampur on Wednesday before proceeding to Guptkashi on November 12. It will reach the Omkareshwar Temple on November 13.

Pilgrims can offer prayers to Lord Kedarnath at the Omkareshwar Temple during the six-month winter period. The ceremonial palanquin of Goddess Yamuna, led by Shani Dev Maharaj, departed from Yamunotri for Kharsali, the deity’s winter abode, amid traditional rituals and folk music.