Dehradun: Char Dham Yatra season is now nearing its end this year. Only two days are left for the portal closure of Kedarnath shrine. The Kedarnath portal is scheduled to close for winters on November 3. Around 16 lakh pilgrims arrived at Kedarnath to offer their prayers in this Yatra season.
The process for the portal of the Kedarnath shrine has already begun. The portal of Bhairavnath temple, located in the Kedar valley was closed on November 29. Baba Bhairavnath, who is described as Kshetrapal, is referred to as protector of Kedarnath shrine. Pilgrims, who arrive at Kedar valley, also pay their obeisance at Bhairavnath temple as a part of the rituals.
Kedarnath receives highest number of pilgrims every year
This year Yatra season started on May 10 and the portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri were opened on the same day. One among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath Dham always receives the highest number of pilgrims every year during the Char Dham Yatra season. However, heavy rains and incidents of landslides put a break on the Kedarnath Yatra in July this year. Despite this, devotees reached Kedarnath in a large number to offer their prayers.
16 lakh pilgrims reached Kedarnath shrine this year
As per the data, more than 16 lakh pilgrims reached Kedarnath shrine to offer their prayers till October 31 evening. On the Diwali day, 12, 225 pilgrims, including 7,248 men, 4,900 women, and 77 children visited Kedarnath shrine and offered their prayers.
19 lakh pilgrims had offered their prayer in Kedarnath temple in 2023
Char Dham Yatra season 2023 witnessed the arrival of more than 19 lakh pilgrims in Kedar valley. In 2023, the portal of Kedarnath shrine was opened on April 23. The Kedarnath Yatra had come to an end on November 15 in the year 2023. It clearly showed that the Yatra season was longer in the year 2023 than this year.
Auspicious time for the closure of portal of Kedarnath shrine is at 8.30 am on November 3
As a part of its tradition, the portal of Kedarnath Shrine gets closed after Diwali on “Bhaiya Dooj” festival. The “Shubh Muhurt” (auspicious time) for the closure of Kedarnath portal is 8.30 am on November 3 this year. Before the closure of its portal for the winter season, the Kedarnath temple is decorated with 10 quintal flowers.
Closure of portal of Badrinath Dham on November 17
While the portals of Yamunotri and Kedarnath are scheduled to close on November 3, the portal of Gangotri shrine will be closed on November 2. The portal of Badrinath Dham is scheduled to close on November 17.
