Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2025: Kedarnath Temple To Close Its Doors For Winter On October 23

Kedarnath Dham Gate Closing: Kedarnath Temple, one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites in northern India, will close for the winter season on October 23. Situated on the banks of the Mandakini River at an altitude of 3,584 meters above sea level, the temple follows the annual tradition of shutting its doors as the region becomes snowbound during the winter months.

The doors of Kedarnath Dham will be closed at 8:30 AM on October 23, coinciding with the occasion of Bhai Dooj. On Wednesday morning, following a special prayer ceremony, Baba Kedar's Panchmukhi (five-faced) palanquin will be ceremonially placed inside the temple.

After the temple gates are closed, the idol of Lord Kedarnath will be carried by priests in a palanquin to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, via Rampur, Fata, and Guptkashi. It is expected to reach its winter abode on October 25.

ALSO READ: Bihar Elections: Yogi Sparks 'Burqa' Row At BJP Rally In Saharsa, Says 'Congress-RJD Back Veil To Draw Fake Votes'

For the next six months, during the winter when the Himalayan temple remains snow-covered, Lord Kedarnath will be worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple.

To mark the occasion, the temple has been adorned with 1,200 kilograms of flowers.

Preparations for the temple’s closure began on Saturday, following the closure of the nearby Bhairavnath Temple situated on the Kedarnath hill. On October 23, rituals will commence at 4:30 AM with prayers, anointing, and aarti (lamp offering) to Baba Kedarnath, followed by the offering of bhog (sacred food). The deity will then be placed into symbolic six-month meditation (samadhi).

At 8:30 AM, Baba Kedar's Panchmukhi palanquin, placed in the temple’s assembly hall, will be taken out in a ceremonial procession. The main temple doors will then be closed with traditional rituals. That evening, the mobile festival idol (utsav murti) will reach Rampur for its first overnight halt.

ALSO READ: Delhi-NCR Wakes Up To Toxic Smog After Diwali Celebrations As Air Quality Turns 'Severe', AQI Hits 999 In Some Areas

On October 24, the palanquin will proceed from Rampur via Phata and Narayan Koti, reaching the Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi for an overnight stay. From there, on October 25, it will continue to Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where it will reside for the winter.

Y.S. Pushpavan, senior administrative officer of the temple committee, stated that daily worship of Baba Kedar will continue at Omkareshwar Temple throughout the winter months.

Each year, lakhs of pilgrims from across India and around the world visit Kedarnath Dham to seek blessings and pay homage.