Gangotri Dham shut its doors for the winter season on Tuesday at 12:05 PM, a move that will keep the shrine closed until Akshaya Tritiya next year. The closure coincided with the Annakut festival and Govardhan Puja.

The idol of Maa Ganga has been placed in an utsav doli bound for Mukhba where it will be installed for six months. During the journey, the Utsav Doli halted overnight at Markandeya Puri temple and made its first stop at Bhairav temple after 8 km; it is expected to reach Mukhba in the coming days.

Reports differ on the number of pilgrims who visited this season, with some stating over 9.57 lakh and others over 10 lakh.

The closure ceremony was witnessed by devotees and residents, including Gangotri MLA Suresh Singh Chauhan. Devotees can continue to offer prayers at Mukhba during the winter months.

Gangotri Dham is one of the four shrines in the Char Dham pilgrimage; Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dhami are also expected to close for winter on Wednesday.