The process of bringing the annual pilgrimage to a halt will begin tomorrow with the ceremonial closure of the sacred portals of the high-altitude Gangotri shrine in Uttarkashi district, official sources said here today.
As per tradition, the idol of Goddess Ganga at the shrine will be shifted to the nearby Mukhba village where it will be worshipped during the winter months.
Portals of Yamunotri shrine in Uttarkashi and Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district will also be closed for the period on November 16, the sources said.
The closure of the famous Badrinath temple in Chamoli district on November 18 will mark the end the Char Dham yatra this year, they said.
The portals of these high altitude shrines in the Himalayas are opened for devotees in April-May and closed in October-November every year due to snow-bound conditions.
