Shri Kedarnath Dham’s kapat Closed for Winter in the Presence of CM Dhami

DAINIK NATION BUREAU/KEDARNATH (RUDRAPRAYAG)

Amid the chanting of Har Har Mahadev Shri Kedarnath Dham’s door closed for the winter season on Thursday. It happened on the occasion of Bhaiya Dooj at 8:30 AM in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami

Before the closure, the temple was beautifully adorned with flowers, and the atmosphere was filled with the sounds of the army band and chants of “Jai Baba Kedarnath.” Despite the biting cold, around 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the spiritually charged moment.

In the early hours, the temple priests, led by Chief Priest Bageshling, performed a Yagna, Havan, and Samadhi Puja. The self-manifested Shiva Lingam was then ceremonially covered with local flowers — Kumja, Bukla, Rakh, and Brahmakamal — symbolizing Lord Kedarnath’s meditative state. The sanctum doors were then closed amidst chants and spiritual fervor.

Following the closure, the eastern and southern gates of the temple were sealed in the presence of the Chief Minister. The Panchmukhi Utsav Doli (processional palanquin) of Lord Kedarnath was then taken around the temple before beginning its journey to its first halt at Rampur. The Dham reverberated with devotional chants as priests, devotees, and soldiers joined in the farewell procession.

CM Dhami extended his greetings to devotees from India and abroad, noting that the grand reconstruction of Kedarpuri has been completed under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that in 2025, a record-breaking 50 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham sites, including 17,68,795 devotees who visited Baba Kedar — 1.25 lakh more than last year.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote winter pilgrimage, encouraging devotees to visit the winter abodes of the Char Dhams. He said this initiative would not only continue the flow of devotion but also sustain local livelihoods, benefiting traders, hoteliers, and homestay operators.

Praising the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra, CM Dhami thanked all departments, security forces, temple committees, local residents, and volunteers for their contribution. He assured that security arrangements would remain in place during the winter months and that winter worship at Shri Kedarnath would continue.

The Panchmukhi Utsav Doli of Baba Kedar will rest tonight at Rampur before reaching Shri Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi, on Friday, and finally arriving at its winter abode, Shri Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, on Saturday, October 25.

Among those present at the closing ceremony were MLA Asha Nautiyal, District Panchayat President Poonam Kathait, BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, BJP District President Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, Agriculture Marketing Board Chairman Anil Dabbu, BKTC Vice Chairman Rishi Prasad Sati, District Magistrate Prateek Jain, and Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde.