Badrinath Dham Decorated With Flowers Ahead of Winter Closure

CHAMOLI: In a festive yet solemn sign of the changing season, the holy Badrinath Dham was decorated with nearly 10 quintals of flowers as priests prepare to shut its doors for the winter. The temple doors will close today afternoon at approximately 2:56 pm, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage season for this year’s Char Dham Yatra 2025.

Our correspondent reports that early on Monday morning, the main shrine and the surrounding temple complex erupted in a sea of colour with marigolds, roses and seasonal blooms draped across the façade and inner sanctum. The decoration is not only a symbolic offering but also a sign that the temple authorities and local administration are preparing for the six-month winter break when access will be restricted.

Temple officials explained that the “Prathistha” (festive consecration) of Mother Laxmi in the adjacent Laxmi temple was held yesterday under the traditional rituals of Pancha Puja and Kadhai Bhog. At the same time, the main shrine is prepared for its winter rest. According to the announcement, devotees will be granted darshan until the specified closing hour, after which the sanctum’s doors will be closed for the winter.

Our correspondent adds that over 5000 pilgrims are expected to visit today, many of whom are making final offerings and signing registers before the doors close. Local vendors report brisk sales of floral garlands and cloth offerings, and have expressed relief that the pilgrimage season will reach its climax on a high note.

According to senior priest Amarnath Nambudri, the decision to close the doors lies in the practical realities of the mountain climate. He explained, “We must ensure the sanctity of the temple and the safety of pilgrims. The snow and weather conditions in the months ahead would make it impossible to keep the shrine accessible, so we shut for winter.”

The 10-quintal flower-decoration was carried out by a team of hundreds of local volunteers and craftspeople who worked through the early hours. The floral display extended from the temple entrance to the inner halls, including symbolic motifs such as “five-fold” petals and geometric mandalas. One artisan remarked, “It’s a way to show our devotion and farewell to another year of yatra.”

The seasonal closing of Badrinath’s doors also brings the Char Dham Yatra, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, to its annual conclusion. Pilgrims who have walked or driven the circuit take this moment to complete the last leg of the journey, often with special rites and offerings. Temple management announced that this year’s pilgrimage proceeded smoothly, and they expect final tallies of attendance and revenue to be released in the coming week.

Local tourism officers noted that the decoration and ceremonial closure offer a reminder of the region’s spiritual significance and its dependency on safe access. They emphasised that while the temple doors will close today, the devotion of pilgrims remains strong and preparations are already in place for reopening when the season permits.

With winter ahead, the temple complex will now be monitored by designated staff and security patrols. The Laxmi temple and nearby facilities will remain on “stand-by” mode until reopening. The priesthood encouraged devotees and tourists to respect the closure and return when the shrine re-opens, usually in late spring.

In closing, temple management and pilgrimage officials expressed gratitude to all visitors, volunteers and local communities for cooperating during the festive season. As one pilgrim said, “To see the temple shining in this final day of yatra is a blessing.”