In anticipation of the approaching winter season, the doors of the sacred Kedarnath Temple are set to close for pilgrims today, coinciding with the festival of Bhai Dooj. This marks the end of the annual Char Dham Yatra 2025 for the revered Himalayan shrine and signals the beginning of its six-month winter hiatus.
Our correspondent reports that the temple’s closing ceremony will include traditional rites and the transfer of the deity’s palanquin to its winter abode at the Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath in nearby Ukhimath. Pilgrims are urged to plan their visits accordingly, as road conditions and weather may soon limit access to the area.
Our correspondent adds that the special closing ritual will observe strict adherence to ancient traditions: the gates (kapat) will be shut after the morning puja on Bhai Dooj. Devotees lingering at the site have been advised to depart before the onset of snowfall and the drop in temperature typical of the region at this time of year.
Officials of the Shri Badrinath‑Kedarnath Temple Committee said that services for pilgrims will continue at the temple’s winter residence, but regular darshan at Kedarnath Dham will be suspended until the following spring when the portal re-opens. They emphasised that peripheral facilities such as helicopter services, rope-ways and base accommodations would also scale down in the days ahead.
Experts note that the ritual closure of Kedarnath follows the tradition of the shrine being accessible for six months each year, with the mountain lodge and paths becoming snow-bound and unsafe during the harsh winter months. The shrine’s winter residence ensures uninterrupted worship while celebrating the sacred cycle of the pilgrimage season.
Local travel operators warn that pilgrims still planning to visit must make early bookings and confirm return arrangements, as limited transport and lodging options will remain in the region once the shrine’s portal closes. They said that heavy snowfall could lead to temporary road closures, making the next 24 hours crucial for last-minute visitors.
Our correspondent reports that ancillary facilities around Kedarnath, including medical aid stations, rescue services and base-camp infrastructure in Gaurikund and Sonprayag, are already undergoing transition to winter mode. Authorities are also informing resident guides, porters, and tourist-service vendors about the change in operating schedules.
For pilgrims who cannot make it this year, officials said that the deity’s winter abode offers restricted darshan facilities, and preparations are underway for the full portal reopening in late April or early May next year. The closing of Kedarnath marks not just the end of a journey but the beginning of preparation for the next year’s spiritual cycle.
