By Our Staff Reporter
Uttarkashi, 14 Nov: The portals of Gangotri Dham were closed today for the winter season on the occasion of Annakoot Festival. During the rituals being carried out for the closure of the portals, hundreds of pilgrims were present at the Dham. On the occasion, prayers were also held for the well-being of the people trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel and for the success of the operation being conducted to rescue them.
The portals of the Yamunotri Shrine will close tomorrow.
After the due rituals and amid the Vedic chants, the portals of the Gangotri Temple closed at 11:45 a.m. in the Abhijeet Muhurta (auspicious hour) on the occasion of Annakoot (Govardhan Festival), today.
Shri Panch Gangotri Temple Committee President Rawal Harish Semwal and Secretary Suresh Semwal along with the Tirtha priests of all the five Thoks were present on the occasion. After the closure of the portals, the Utsav Doli of Mother Ganga was sent from Gangotri Dham to her winter abode in Mukhba. After overnight stay at the Devi Temple located in Bhairo Ghati, tonight, Ganga’s Utsav Doli will reach Mukhba village tomorrow where it will be seated for the winter.
The doors of Yamunotri Dham will also be closed for winter on 15th November on the festival of Bhaidooj.
This year a record number of devotees reached Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams for darshan. During this Yatra period, till the last day, 9,04,868 devotees had registered their arrival at Gangotri Dham and 7,35,040 devotees had registered their arrival at Yamunotri Dham.
