The revered Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand, India, will soon close their doors for the winter season, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage. Special prayers and rituals will be held before the closure, culminating in the festival idol of Ganga ji being moved to Mukhwa village and Yamuna ji to Kharsali village. The temples will reopen in the spring, welcoming pilgrims back to the sacred Himalayan sites.
The Amarnath Yatra, a significant pilgrimage for Hindu devotees, officially commenced on June 29th with the ‘Pratham Puja’ ceremony. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha virtually participated in the puja, expressing his support for the sacred journey. Security forces have heightened measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims, with police reviewing arrangements and implementing cut-off timings for smooth travel. The pilgrimage, which ends on August 19th, involves a challenging trek to the Amarnath cave shrine where devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
