Kedarnath Dham Closes For Winter After Record 19.20 Lakh Devotees Visit Shrine

Kedarnath, Nov 11: The portals of Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand were ceremonially closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on Wednesday, bringing an end to a record-breaking pilgrimage year that saw over 19.20 lakh devotees visit the shrine.

The closure ceremony was performed amid traditional rituals, Vedic chants and music by an Army band. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the final darshan of Lord Shiva before heavy snowfall makes the Himalayan shrine inaccessible.

Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) President Hemant Dwivedi confirmed the record footfall and said the closing rituals had been completed successfully. He also thanked the Kedar Sabha, Tirth Purohits, NDRF, SDRF, police and district administration for ensuring a smooth pilgrimage season.

Following the closure, the ceremonial palanquin of Baba Kedar will be taken to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the deity’s winter abode. Devotees can offer prayers there during the winter months.

Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said the closing rituals began at 4 am. The shrine, which reopened on April 22 this year, is expected to reopen around Akshaya Tritiya in 2027.