Now that the winter has arrived, the doors of Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath and Yamunotri have been closed for devotees. The news was announced by the Uttarakhand Chardham Devasthanam Management Board. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri together are known as Char Dham.
Rajesh Semwal, Gangotri Mandir Samiti co-secretary said, the gates of the temple were shuttered at 11.45 AM and the statue of Goddess Ganga was taken to the Mukhba village, which is her winter home. This year, Gangotri recorded more than 32948 pilgrims amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Board member Dr Harish Gaur informed, “The doors of the Tritiya (third) Kedar Shri Tungnath Temple will close on October 30 and Dwitiya (second) Kedar Shri Madmaheshwar Temple on November 22 for winter. Shri Madmaheshwar Fair will be held on November 25”.
Earlier board members have informed that on November 5 Shri Gangotri Dham will shut down followed by Kedarnath and Yamunotri on November 6. Doors to Badrinath will be closed on November 20.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district. There, he said, “This decade belongs to Uttarakhand. There will be an unprecedented boost to connectivity in the region in the coming years and migration of people from the hills would stop. In the next 10 years, the state will receive more tourists than it did in the last 100 years.” He also informed that the Chardham road project that will connect with the Chardham highways is speeding.
This year, the Char Dham Yatra commenced on September 18 amid strict COVID restrictions. Only fully Covid vaccinated devotees were allowed to enter after presenting their negative RT PCR reports.
