The sacred portals of Gangotri temple in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas closed on Saturday, marking the commencement of the winter hiatus.
The temple, situated at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet, will remain closed due to heavy snowfall during this season, confirmed Suresh Semwal, Secretary of the Gangotri Temple Committee.
The ceremonial closing took place on the auspicious occasion of the Annakoot festival at 12.14 pm, amid elaborate rituals.
Devotees and priests gathered for the occasion, chanting “Har Har Gange, Jai Ma Gange” as the idol of Goddess Ganga was transferred in a palanquin to Mukhba, a village where the goddess will be worshipped throughout winter, explained Semwal.
Gangotri, one of the Char Dham temples, was the first to close for the season, with the other three following shortly. The Yamunotri and Kedarnath temples are set to close on Sunday, while the portals of Badrinath will be shut on 17 November.
Despite a challenging terrain and limited accessibility, Gangotri received over eight lakh devotees this season.
These revered Himalayan shrines traditionally reopen in April or May, when the summer warmth restores safe access to the region.
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