On 23 October 2025, the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham and Yamunotri Dham, two of Uttarakhand’s revered Char Dham shrines, were ceremoniously closed on the occasion of Bhai Dooj with traditional rituals, chanting of mantras, and grand floral decorations.
At Kedarnath, the temple doors were closed at 8:30 AM, and the Panchmukhi (five-faced) idol of Lord Kedarnath was placed in a Doli (palanquin) to begin its journey to its winter abode at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. The Doli will reach Ukhimath on 25 October, where the idol will be ceremoniously installed for six months of winter worship.
Similarly, the Yamunotri Dham in Uttarkashi closed its doors at 12:30 PM, and the palanquin of Goddess Yamuna departed for Kharsali, her winter seat, where devotees can continue to offer prayers until the next pilgrimage season.
This year, over 24 lakh devotees visited both Kedarnath and Yamunotri during the pilgrimage season. On the closing day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers at Kedarnath, seeking the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state.
