Despite the closure of the ChaarDham temple doors for the winter, the Uttarakhand government is facilitating visits and worship at the four holy shrines—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—during the winter season. This initiative aims to promote tourism and maintain activity throughout the year.
Details on Temple Closures and Winter Worship
The temple doors for these revered shrines were officially closed following traditional rituals. The Kedarnath temple doors were shut on November 3, after opening on May 10, while the Badrinath doors closed on November 17, having opened on May 12. The government encourages devotees to continue their worship at designated locations during the off-season.
“Devotees will have complete access to darshan (viewing) and worship during the winter pilgrimage,” said Ajendra Ajay, Chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).
Chardham Current Locations for Worship During Winter
- Kedarnath: Baba Kedarnath’s Panchmukhi Doli is currently in Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. Worship will take place here until the next pilgrimage season.
- Badrinath: The Dolis of Uddhav and Kubera are now stationed at Pandukeshwar Yog Badri, with worship available in Pandukeshwar and Joshimath.
- Yamunotri: The Doli of Mother Yamuna is at the Yamuna Temple in Kharsali, where regular worship is ongoing.
- Gangotri: Mother Ganga resides in Mukhwa during winter, allowing devotees to perform worship until the temple reopens next year.
Statistics on Visitor Attendance
This year’s ChaarDham pilgrimage attracted millions of devotees, with significant attendance numbers reported:
- Kedarnath: 1,652,070 visitors
- Badrinath: 1,435,401 visitors
- Gangotri: 818,273 visitors
- Yamunotri: 714,779 visitors
- Hemkund Sahib: 183,692 visitors
Building Infrastructure for Winter Pilgrimage
The BKTC is working on infrastructure and facility development at the pilgrimage sites to enhance the winter travel experience. The efforts are aimed at making the pilgrimage comfortable for visitors during the colder months.
A Year-Round Spiritual Journey
The initiative to keep the four ChaarDham temples accessible during winter reflects the government’s commitment to promoting tourism and spirituality year-round. As the winter pilgrimage progresses, devotees can continue to partake in the sanctity of these holy sites, ensuring that the spirit of devotion remains alive even in the off-season.
