Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand closed for winter on Wednesday after receiving over 27.97 lakh pilgrims this season. The Kedarnath shrine was closed at 8.30 am, while Yamunotri’s portals shut at 10.28 am, following traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic mantras.

The deities of the two shrines were moved to their designated winter abodes for worship. Kedarnath received 19.13 lakh visitors this year, while Yamunotri received 8.84 lakh.

The deity of Lord Kedarnath was moved to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and the palanquin of Lord Kedarnath will reach the temple on November 13. The ceremonial palanquin of Lord Kedarnath will halt overnight at Rampur on Wednesday before proceeding to Guptkashi on November 12.

The Yamunotri palanquin departed for Kharsali, the goddess’s winter abode, under the leadership of Shani Dev Maharaj. Pilgrims can now offer prayers to Lord Kedarnath at Omkareshwar Temple during the winter months. The Yamunotri Temple Committee collected over Rs 90 lakh in donations this season, with Rs 10.42 lakh collected in cash at Yamunotri.

The Char Dham Yatra received 64.41 lakh devotees by November 10, with Kedarnath seeing an increase of 1.45 lakh pilgrims compared to last year and Yamunotri seeing an increase of 2.40 lakh. Shri Gangotri Dham closed on November 10, and Shri Badrinath Dham is scheduled to close on November 13.