The sacred doors of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand, India, are set to close for the winter season, marking the conclusion of this year’s annual pilgrimage. Thousands of devotees have visited these revered Himalayan sites, seeking blessings from the divine rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
The Gangotri temple, dedicated to goddess Ganga, will close on Saturday, November 2nd at 12:14 PM, coinciding with the Annakoot festival. A special ceremony will precede the closure, culminating in the transportation of the festival idol of Ganga ji from Gangotri Dham to Mukhwa village in a palanquin (doli). The idol will remain at the Ganga temple in Mukhwa throughout the winter, allowing devotees to continue their worship.
The Yamunotri temple, dedicated to goddess Yamuna, will close on Sunday, November 3rd at 12:05 PM, coinciding with the festival of Bhaiyadooj. Similar to Gangotri, a special ceremony will take place before the closure, after which the festival idol of Yamuna ji will be moved to the Yamuna temple in Kharsali village. Devotees will be able to pay their respects and seek blessings from goddess Yamuna during the winter months at this location.
Both the Gangotri Temple Committee and the Yamunotri Temple Committee have made meticulous preparations for the closures, ensuring a smooth transition and a respectful farewell to the deities. The temples in Mukhwa and Kharsali have been beautifully adorned to welcome the festival idols. Local administration and police have coordinated logistics to ensure the safety of pilgrims during this significant period.
This year, the annual pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri attracted over 1,521,752 pilgrims, seeking spiritual solace and blessings. While the closure marks the end of an important spiritual journey for many, it also sets the stage for the reopening in spring, when pilgrims will once again reconnect with these sacred Himalayan sites.
