Kedarnath Temple Doors Close for Winter; Lord to Reside in Ukhimath for Six Months
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): The sacred portals of the Kedarnath shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas were closed for the winter season on Thursday, marking the conclusion of this year’s pilgrimage. For the next six months, Lord Kedarnath will be worshipped at his winter abode — the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
According to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the temple doors were closed for devotees at 8:30 a.m. after special rituals and prayers. The ceremony was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with hundreds of devotees, temple officials, and priests.
Following the closure, the palanquin of Lord Kedarnath began its ceremonial journey toward Ukhimath. It will halt at Rampur on Thursday night, reach Guptkashi on Friday, and finally arrive at the Omkareshwar Temple on October 25, where the deity will remain for the winter. The temple will reopen to devotees in April–May next year, with the date and time to be decided on Mahashivratri.
Chief Minister Dhami offered prayers for the state’s peace and prosperity, expressing gratitude for the successful completion of the Char Dham Yatra. He noted that the smooth management and record turnout of pilgrims were results of coordinated government efforts.
“The pilgrimage to Baba Kedar’s shrine has concluded safely this year. A record number of devotees visited Kedarnath. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is being developed as the spiritual capital of Sanatan Dharma,” Dhami said, adding that the yatra significantly contributes to the state’s economy and connects Uttarakhand with devotees across the world.
Dhami also reviewed ongoing development projects in Kedarnath and mentioned that similar works are underway across other Char Dham sites and temples of Manaskhand.
As per official figures, 17.57 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath this year, while a total of 49.67 lakh pilgrims undertook the Char Dham Yatra, including visits to Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib.
