The sacred portals of Yamunotri Temple, the first shrine of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, were ceremonially closed on Bhai Dooj, marking the end of this year’s pilgrimage season. The auspicious closure was carried out with traditional Vedic rituals and the chanting of hymns amid a large gathering of devotees.
Our correspondent reports that the closing ceremony began early in the morning with special pujas, aarti, and floral decorations of the main sanctum. The temple priests performed rituals to symbolically put Goddess Yamuna to rest for the winter season. The idol of the deity was then placed in a palanquin for its traditional journey to Kharsali village, the goddess’s winter abode.
Our correspondent adds that despite sub-zero temperatures, hundreds of devotees braved the cold to witness the sacred moment. The temple complex resonated with chants of “Jai Maa Yamuna” and the sound of bells as the doors were formally sealed. Devotees offered flowers, sweets, and prayers before the temple gates were closed at around 11 a.m.
According to temple officials, the Yamunotri Dham will remain closed until April–May 2026, when it reopens with the onset of summer and the beginning of the new pilgrimage season. During the winter months, all religious ceremonies will be conducted at the Kharsali Gaddi Sthal, where the idol of Goddess Yamuna will be worshipped daily by priests.
Officials of the Yamunotri Temple Committee said that the ceremony followed age-old traditions aimed at ensuring the safety of devotees during the harsh Himalayan winter. Heavy snowfall and extreme temperatures make access to the shrine difficult, hence the seasonal relocation of the deity.
The Char Dham Yatra 2025 has witnessed record pilgrim footfall this year, with more than 50 lakh devotees visiting the four Himalayan shrines — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The state government has described the 2025 season as one of the most well-managed in recent years, crediting enhanced infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and strict safety protocols for its success.
Temple authorities said that local residents and business owners in the Kharsali region are preparing to welcome devotees for the winter Char Dham pilgrimage, which the state government is actively promoting to sustain livelihood opportunities for local communities during the off-season. The move is also intended to spread tourism activity throughout the year while preserving the spiritual significance of the Char Dham circuit.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Temple Committee, local priests, representatives of the district administration, and hundreds of pilgrims who offered prayers and witnessed the ritual procession. The event concluded peacefully, with the temple priests offering prayers for prosperity and well-being for all devotees.
The closure of Yamunotri Temple symbolises the beginning of the winter worship period in Uttarakhand’s Char Dham circuit and marks the spiritual transition from high-altitude pilgrimage to winter shrines, continuing the eternal rhythm of devotion in the Himalayas.
