Kedarnath – The doors of the sacred Kedarnath Temple, one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas, were ceremonially closed on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Baba Kedar.” Despite freezing weather, around 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the spiritual event.
Before the closure, the temple was beautifully decorated with flowers, and the main priest Bagesh Ling, along with other priests, performed rituals including a Yagya, Havan, and Samadhi Puja. The Shivling was then covered with local flowers such as Kumja, Bukla, Rakh, and Brahmakamal, marking the beginning of the winter period.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the ceremony, during which the eastern and southern gates of the temple were formally sealed. The Panchmukhi Doli (ceremonial idol) of Lord Kedarnath then began its journey toward the first stop at Rampur, accompanied by the army band, temple priests, and chanting devotees.
CM Dhami extended his greetings to devotees from India and abroad, saying Kedarpuri’s reconstruction, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has transformed the shrine into a grand and divine pilgrimage site. He added that over 50 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines this year, including 17,68,795 devotees at Kedarnath alone — around 1.25 lakh more than last year.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is also promoting the winter pilgrimage to the deities’ winter abodes to sustain local livelihoods such as homestays and hotels. He urged devotees to visit these sites during winter to seek blessings and support local communities.
Dhami expressed gratitude to all departments, security forces, temple committees, and volunteers for ensuring a safe and well-organized pilgrimage season. He assured that even during winter, strict security arrangements and religious activities would continue in Kedarnath.
After the closure, Lord Kedarnath’s Panchmukhi Doli will stay overnight in Rampur, reach Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi on October 24, and finally arrive at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the deity’s winter seat, on October 25.
