In a landmark moment for Uttarakhand’s annual pilgrimage season, the revered Gangotri Dham was ceremoniously closed today at 11:36 a.m. in accordance with traditional “kapat” rituals, marking the beginning of the winter break for the Himalayan shrine. Simultaneously, preparations are underway for the grand conclusion of the Char Dham Yatra 2025, with the total number of devotees expected to cross 50 lakh, a remarkable indicator of both faith and efficient pilgrimage management this year.
Our correspondent reports that as the portals of Gangotri closed, the temple town witnessed an atmosphere of reverence and festivity. The shrine was adorned with flowers and lights as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers before the idol of Goddess Ganga was ceremonially moved to her winter abode at Mukhba village, located near Harsil. The sacred procession carrying the idol departed with full rituals, marking the traditional end of the yatra season for Gangotri.
Our correspondent adds that the broader Char Dham circuit — comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — has recorded one of the highest turnouts in recent history. Despite unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, this year’s pilgrimage has seen a historic participation, reflecting the growing devotion of pilgrims and the state’s improved infrastructure and logistics.
The closing of Gangotri Dham coincides with the festival of Annakut, celebrated a day after Diwali. Meanwhile, Yamunotri Dham is scheduled to close its portals on October 23, on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. Local traders and priests have begun concluding seasonal activities as preparations continue for the winter shift of deities to lower-altitude shrines.
Officials of the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Board stated that the Kedarnath Dham has already witnessed over 16.5 lakh pilgrims this year, while Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath together make up the remaining count, taking the overall number to nearly 50 lakh visitors. The figures mark a new record for spiritual tourism in Uttarakhand and underline the growing appeal of the Himalayan pilgrimage circuit among devotees from across India and abroad.
The administration has credited this success to coordinated efforts by various departments in managing road safety, accommodation, medical aid, and crowd control. Special arrangements were made for avalanche monitoring, weather alerts, and rescue operations, ensuring a safer pilgrimage experience even under changing climatic conditions.
The closure of the Gangotri shrine symbolises the spiritual transition from the pilgrimage season to the devotional winter worship held in lower-altitude temples. The idol of Goddess Ganga will remain in Mukhba village throughout the winter, where daily prayers will continue until the portals reopen next summer.
Our correspondent reports that pilgrims, despite the cold, arrived in large numbers in the past few days to seek blessings before the shrine’s closure. Many expressed deep satisfaction over the improved amenities and efficient management of queues and lodging facilities. Local vendors and travel operators noted that the high turnout has helped revive the regional economy, which had faced challenges in recent years due to erratic weather and reduced tourist activity.
As the pilgrimage season concludes, authorities have shifted focus to post-yatra maintenance, including cleaning drives, road repairs, and preparation for the upcoming winter months. Efforts are also being made to ensure the preservation of the fragile Himalayan ecology by reducing waste and managing visitor impact through regulated entry and eco-friendly practices.
Officials confirmed that the Badrinath Dham will be the last of the four shrines to close for the winter on November 25, marking the official end of the Char Dham Yatra 2025.
The successful management of this year’s pilgrimage season has been hailed as an example of effective coordination between the administration, religious organisations, and local communities, reinforcing Uttarakhand’s position as a major centre of spiritual tourism in India.
