Portals of Gangotri shrine closed

The head priest of the shrine, located in Uttarkashi district, locked its doors at 1215 hrs in the presence of religious heads and administrative officials.

Braving biting cold, devotees thronged the high-altitude shrine, one of the Chardhams, to witness the annual event.

After the closure, the idol of Goddess Ganga was carried in a palanquin to nearby Mukhba village for worship during the winter.

The portals of the shrine, which draws a large number of devotees, are closed in October-November every year due to snow-bound conditions.

The shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are commonly known as Chardham.