Portals of Badrinath shrine to close on Nov 20

The portals of Badrinath Temple will be closed for devotees on November 20.

The Himalayan shrine is shut annually for the winter season during which it remains covered in snow.

The gates of the shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu will be closed at 3.21 pm on November 20, Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee CEO B D Singh said.

The auspicious hour to close the temple was decided ceremoniously after prayers by Dharmadhikari Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal and Vedpathis in the presence of chief priest Ishwari Prasad Nambudiri on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi, he said.

Though snowfall in the higher reaches of the mountains in Chamoli district has added to the chill, around 3,000 people thronged the temple on Vijaya Dashmi, Singh said.

The dates for the closure of the three other Himalayan temples, including Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district and Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi, have also been decided, he said.

Gangotri will be closed on the occasion of Annakoot festival a day after Diwali whereas Yamunotri and Kedarnath will be closed on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.