Gangotri shrine closed for winter

Dehradun, November 14
The Gangotri shrine was closed for the winter today. A large number of pilgrims queued up to have the last darshan of 'Akhand Jyoti' before the closure of the shrine. The ceremonial closure took place at 12 noon amid the recitation of Vedic mantras. The idol of Goddess Ganga was taken to nearby village Mukhba, where it will be worshipped during the winter. Situated at a height of 10,000 ft above the sea level in Uttarkashi, the Gangotri shrine is closed for pilgrims every year during October-November and reopens in April-May, as the area remains snowbound during the winter. The portals of the Yamunotri shrine in Uttarkashi and the Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district will be closed for the winter on November 16. The closure of the Badrinath shrine, the last to be closed among the Char Dham shrines, will take place on November 18.