Rudraprayag: The sacred Kedarnath temple, one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva and part of the revered Char Dham circuit, was officially closed for the winter season on Thursday morning amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and devotional hymns echoing through the snow-capped Garhwal Himalayas.
As per tradition, the temple doors were shut at 8:30 a.m. after an elaborate special puja and ritual ceremony conducted by the priests of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Thousands of devotees, sadhus, and temple officials witnessed the emotional farewell as the idol of Baba Kedar began its journey to Ukhimath, the deity’s winter seat located in the Rudraprayag district.
For the next six months, worship and daily rituals will continue at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where devotees will be able to offer prayers until the shrine reopens in May next year.
Temple authorities said the closing ceremony followed ancient customs, including the recitation of Vedic hymns, floral offerings, and the symbolic sealing of the sanctum doors with sacred cloth. Despite the chilly weather, pilgrims gathered in large numbers to catch a final glimpse of the deity before the annual closure.
BKTC officials also confirmed that this year’s pilgrimage season saw a significant influx of visitors, with lakhs of devotees visiting Kedarnath after improved road and helicopter connectivity.
As the snow begins to blanket the upper reaches of the Himalayas, the Char Dham yatra now gradually moves into its winter phase, with other shrines — including Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — also preparing for seasonal closure in the coming days.
The symbolic departure of Lord Kedarnath marks the transition from an active pilgrimage season to a period of spiritual reflection and worship from afar, as the Himalayas prepare for the long winter ahead.
