The gates of Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand were closed for the winter season on Sunday as chants of “Om Namah Shivay, Jai Baba Kedar” echoed as per Vedic rituals and religious traditions. The Indian Army band also participated and played devotional tunes.

#WRISTWATCH | Uttarakhand: The portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were closed at 8:30 am today due to the winter season. The portals were closed with Vedic rituals and religious traditions amid chants of Om Namah Shivay, Jai Baba Kedar and devotional tunes of the Indian Army band.

(Source:… pic.twitter.com/vCg2as6aJ7

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2024

More than 15,000 devotees attended the ceremony and the temple has been decorated since Diwali, ANI reported, citing the government statement. The rituals began at 5 am on Sunday in the presence of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Ajendra Ajay, Acharya, Vedpathi and BKTC priests and performed Samadhi Puja of Lord Kedarnath’s manifested Shivalinga.

At 8.30 am, Baba Kedar Panchmukhi Utsav Doli was taken out of the temple and then the gates of Shri Kedarnath temple were closed. After the doors were closed, Baba Kedar Panchmukhi Utsav Doli set off towards its first stop, Rampur. Thousands of devotees follow him on foot along with Baba’s Panchmukhi Doli.

#WRISTWATCH | Uttarakhand: After the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were closed for the winter season today, Lord Kedar’s Doli (Tahriye) is being taken to his winter abode, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

(Source: Temple Committee) pic.twitter.com/YnLegKQRtg

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2024

Following this Bhandara was organized at various places for the devotees.

According to a statement issued by BKTC, Baba Kedar’s Panchmukhi Doli will be held in Rampur for one night, followed by an overnight stay at Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi on Monday, November 4. It will finally reach Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath on November Tuesday. 5.
In winter, the worship of Baba Kedar will be held at Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath.

Meanwhile, the doors of Badrinath Dham will close on November 17 this year. The doors of Gangotri Dham were closed on Saturday, November 2, due to winter. The doors of ‘Yamnotri Dham’ will be closed on Sunday afternoon on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.