Rudraprayag. The doors of the world famous eleventh Jyotirling Kedarnath Dham were closed for winter at 08:30 am on Sunday on the holy festival of Bhaiya Dooj. The doors were closed with Vedic rituals and religious traditions amidst Om Namah Shivay, Jai Baba Kedar Ke Jai Ghosh and devotional tunes of the Indian Army Band. Badrinath- More than 15 thousand devotees including Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) President Ajendra Ajay witnessed the closing of the doors. On the occasion of closing of doors, the temple was lavishly decorated with flowers since the day of
Today, the process of closing the doors started from 5 am on Sunday in the presence of BKTC President Ajendra Ajay. Acharyas, Vedapathis and priests of BKTC performed Samadhi Puja of Swayambhu Shivalinga of Lord Kedarnath. The Swayambhu Shivalinga was given the form of Samadhi with ashes, local flowers, vine leaves etc. At 08:30 am, Panchmukhi Utsav Doli of Baba Kedar was brought out of the temple, after which the doors of Shri Kedarnath Temple were closed.
With the closing of the doors, Baba Kedar’s Panchmukhi Utsav Doli left for its first stop, Rampur. Thousands of devotees left on foot with Baba’s Panchmukhi Doli. Bhandaras have been organized at various places for the devotees. The weather remained clear in Kedarnath today. Due to snow nearby, cold winds continued to blow, but there was great enthusiasm among the devotees.
On the occasion of closing of doors, BKTC President Ajendra Ajay said that during this yatra period, a record number of more than 16.5 lakh pilgrims reached Kedarnath Dham.
Baba Kedar’s Panchmukhi Doli will make overnight stay in Rampur today on 3rd November. After an overnight stay at Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi on Monday 4th November, it will reach winter seat Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath on Tuesday 5th November. During winter season, the worship of Baba Kedar will be performed at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath only.
On the occasion of closing of doors today, apart from BKTC President Ajendra Ajay, Swami Sambidanand Maharaj, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Dr. Saurav Gaharwar, Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde, Kedarnath Development Authority Additional Chief Executive Officer Yogendra Singh, Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal etc. were present.
