Kedarnath: The sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were ceremoniously closed for the winter season today at 8:30 am. The closure was marked by traditional Vedic rituals and religious traditions, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.
Devotees and priests gathered to witness the solemn event, chanting “Om Namah Shivay” and “Jai Baba Kedar” as the doors were shut. The Indian Army band added to the devotional ambiance with their soulful tunes, enhancing the sanctity of the occasion.
The closure of the portals signifies the end of the pilgrimage season, with the temple now inaccessible until it reopens in the spring. This annual event is a significant moment for devotees, who believe that Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of Kedarnath, retreats to his winter abode during this period.
The temple, located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River, is one of the most revered shrines in Hinduism. Pilgrims from across the country and the world visit Kedarnath to seek blessings and experience its divine aura.
As the temple doors close, preparations for the winter months begin, ensuring the preservation of the sacred site until the next pilgrimage season. Devotees eagerly await the reopening of the portals, looking forward to another season of spiritual fulfillment and devotion.
