Dehra Dun:The portals of famous Gangotri temple in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand were closed today for six months because of the onset of winter.

Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the chief priest performed the special puja in the presence of temple officials and administrative authorities and closed the doors of the temple at around 1215 hrs as chilly winds blew outside, said Surat Ram Nautiyal, Vice Chairman of Chardham Development Council.

Thousands of pilgrims were also present in the premises of the temple when the closing ceremony was performed, he said.

After the closure of the temple, the idol of goddess Ganga was taken to Mukhba village in Uttarkashi district, its winter sojourn.

The shrine attracts lakhs of tourist every year. Gangotri is considered as the origin of river Ganga.

Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, collectively known as Chardham (the quartet pilgrim centres) , close in October-November every year and reopen in April-May next year as the areas remain snowbound during the winter.

The portals of the Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district and Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district would be closed tomorrow while the Badrinath in Chamoli district will close on November 17 ending the six-month chardham yatra season.
Source : PTI