Kedarnath: The annual winter closure ceremony of Kedarnath Dham was held today, marking the end of this year’s pilgrimage season. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum has already been closed, and its southern entrance has been locked ahead of the formal closure of the remaining gates.
At the scheduled time, Baba Kedar’s Panchmukhi Chal Vigraha Doli, the ceremonial palanquin carrying the deity’s movable idol, was taken out through the eastern gate. After the procession left the temple, the entrance was shut to devotees, completing the closure process for the winter months.
Hemant Dwivedi, chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), said worshippers would continue to have an opportunity to seek blessings at Baba Kedar’s winter seat in Ukhimath.
The deity will remain at Ukhimath for approximately six months, where devotees can offer prayers until the Kedarnath shrine reopens for the next pilgrimage season.
The annual closure follows the traditional practice of moving the deity to its winter abode as harsh weather conditions make access to the high-altitude shrine difficult during the colder months.
