November 11, 07:01Aaj Tak

Kedarnath Dham closed for six months; pilgrims can visit Shiva in Ukhimath

Kedarnath Dham, a renowned temple in the state of Uttarakhand, was closed for the winter period for six months on November 11, 2026, during the Bhairuduj festival. The closing ceremony of the temple gates took place at 8:30 AM using Vedic chants and religious rituals, marking the end of the current pilgrimage season in Kedarnath.

For the next six months, pilgrims will be unable to make a pilgrimage to Baba Kedarnath in his main shrine. However, this does not mean that devotees must wait until next year to visit Baba Kedarnath, as worship of him will continue even in winter.

Where will Baba Kedarnath reside during the 6 months?

According to religious beliefs, the temple gates of Kedarnath close due to heavy snowfall and cold during the winter. After this, the ceremonial chariot (doli) carrying the image of Baba Kedarnath is moved to his winter abode in Ukhimath. The Omkareshwar Temple, located in Ukhimath, is considered the winter sanctuary of Lord Kedarnath.

During these six months, worship of Baba Kedarnath and all religious rituals will be conducted at Omkareshwar in Ukhimath. Pilgrims will be able to visit Lord Shiva in Ukhimath and offer prayers during this period, despite the Kedarnath gates being closed for winter. Worship of Baba Kedarnath continues uninterrupted.

Where is Baba Kedarnath's winter abode located?

Ukhimath is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state. The famous abode of Lord Shiva, the Omkareshwar Temple, is situated here, which is also known as the winter residence of Baba Kedarnath. This location is at an altitude of about 1311 meters above sea level. The distance from Rudraprayag to Ukhimath is approximately 41 kilometers, and from Guptakashi—about 13 kilometers.

When snowfall makes the journey to Kedarnath difficult, pilgrims can travel to Ukhimath to see Baba Kedarnath. After the gates close, the ceremonial chariot with Baba Kedarnath travels to its winter refuge according to traditional rites. During this journey, the chariot passes through various intermediate points.

On November 11, the chariot reaches Rampur. Then, on November 12, it stays overnight at the Vishnu Nath Temple in Guptakashi. Further, on November 13, the chariot arrives at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where worship ceremonies are held and Baba Kedarnath is installed. A large number of pilgrims arrive to witness this religious journey, greeting the chariot with cries of glory to Baba Kedarnath along the way.

When will the Kedarnath Dham gates reopen next year?

The gates of Kedarnath Dham close every winter and reopen in the summer. They usually open around Akshay Tritiya. However, the exact date of opening and auspicious time for next year will be announced later. According to religious beliefs, worship of Baba Kedarnath takes place in Ukhimath during winter, while in the summer, pilgrims visit Kedarnath Dham.

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www.aajtak.inNovember 11, 05:26

Temple doors closed at Kedarnath Dham; rituals are being held for the burial of the unique Shiva Lingam of Baba Kedar

The pilgrimage season at Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand state is nearing its end. Preparations have begun to close the pilgrimage gates of Baba Kedar. Access for pilgrims to the temple has been stopped, and a ceremony is being held for the burial of the unique Shiva Lingam of Baba Kedar. Thousands of devotees gathered at the Dham to witness this special moment.

The ritual procedure for closing the gates at the Kedarnath temple began early in the morning. Pilgrims gathered to see this significant event. According to the schedule, the gates of Baba Kedarnath will be closed at 8:30 AM, marking the end of the pilgrimage season at the Dham.

Every year, due to snowfall and adverse weather conditions, the pilgrimage gates of Kedarnath Dham are closed. After this, worship of Baba Kedar continues at his winter abode. During this period, pilgrims can visit this place and perform pilgrimages. After the gates close, Baba Kedar's procession departs for his winter sanctuary in the traditional manner of Utsav Doli, thus concluding the annual cycle of pilgrimage at Kedarnath Dham.

Before the closure of Baba Kedar's gates, a very solemn evening Aarti was held. On the evening of November 10th, the temple was filled with an atmosphere of reverence thanks to the lighting of lamps and the sounds of mantras. The Rudraprayag police shared a video of this Aarti on social media, showcasing mesmerizing footage of the majestic Aarti of Baba Kedar. This moment was touching for all pilgrims who had come to the Dham for worship and prayers throughout the year. With the closing of the gates, pilgrims will have to wait for the next season for regular prayers and Aarti at the Dham.

www.aajtak.inNovember 10, 21:21

Large flow of pilgrims and severe traffic jam observed at Badrinath Dham temple gates before closure

The high level of enthusiasm among pilgrims continues in the famous temple complex of Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand. Despite the planned closure of the temple gates for the winter period on November 16, a huge number of devotees continue to arrive at the temple, and the crowds are not decreasing.

Even after the end of the Diwali festival, pilgrims are arriving in Badrinath Dham from all over the country. On Tuesday morning, Badrinath Dham looked lively due to the large gathering of devotees. Because a large number of pilgrims are arriving for the final stage of the pilgrimage, the atmosphere of a festival is maintained in the temple.

A serious traffic jam was observed on the national highway to Badrinath between Joshimath and Vishnuprayag, in the Marwari area. Part of the road was damaged, causing vehicles to be moved one by one. This led to the formation of long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road, and travelers have to contend with traffic jams.

Usually, there is a significant decrease in the number of pilgrims at this time of year, but this time, a huge crowd remains in Badrinath Dham even in the last days of the pilgrimage. Thanks to the arrival of a record number of pilgrims, the pilgrimage to Badrinath Dham seems to be setting new records.

www.aajtak.inOctober 29, 15:12

Famous Trimbakeshwar Temple to be Closed on October 30-31; Instructions Issued for Pilgrims

The famous Trimbakeshwar Temple, located in the Nasik district of Maharashtra state, will be closed to pilgrims on October 30 and 31. This decision was made by the district administration in connection with the flag hoisting ceremony for the Kumbh Mela Singhasth 2027.

According to officials, the temple will be closed to the general public from October 30 at noon until October 31 at six in the evening. However, local residents of the city of Trimbakeshwar and those possessing an authorized pass will be allowed entry into the temple during this period.

The administration took these steps to ensure safety measures and control over crowd gathering. According to government reports, the flag hoisting ceremony for the Kumbh Mela Singhasth 2027 will take place on Saturday at Kushavart Tirtha, and a large number of esteemed guests are expected to attend this event.

The administration emphasized that it is crucial to ensure the safety of distinguished guests while simultaneously controlling the crowd of pilgrims. It was based on this consideration that the decision was made to temporarily close the temple.

The district administration clearly stated that legal action will be taken against those who violate the instructions regarding temple entry. According to the official statement, violating these directives may result in measures under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Police Act.
It should be noted that the Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the main religious sites for worshipping Lord Shiva, attracting a large number of pilgrims. Therefore, pilgrims planning to visit the temple between October 30 at noon and October 31 at six in the evening were advised to follow the administration's guidelines. During this period, access to the temple will be closed to all pilgrims except local residents and holders of authorized passes.