Kedarnath temple portals closed for winter; deity's palanquin begins journey to Ukhimath

Devotees carry the ceremonial palanquin (Utsav Doli) of Lord Kedarnath as the portals of the flower-decked shrine close for the winter season, in Rudraprayag on November 11, 2026.

The portals of the Kedarnath shrine were closed for the winter season at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) following prescribed rituals and the chanting of Vedic mantras.

The process began at 4 a.m. with special prayers and religious ceremonies, with all rituals performed in accordance with traditional customs before the temple doors were closed at the auspicious time.

Following the closure, the processional palanquin of Lord Kedarnath was carried around the temple complex before departing for the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the deity's winter abode.

According to the schedule, the palanquin will halt overnight at Rampur on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) before reaching Guptkashi on November 12. It will arrive at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on November 13.

For the next six months, devotees can offer prayers to the deity at the Omkareshwar Temple.

The ceremonial palanquin of Goddess Yamuna, led by Shani Dev Maharaj, departed from Yamunotri for Kharsali, the deity’s winter abode, amid traditional rituals and folk music.

Villagers and pilgrims accorded a grand welcome to the palanquin upon its arrival in the afternoon at the ancestral village of the goddess, showering it with flowers and garlands.

During the six-month pilgrimage season, the Yamunotri Temple Committee received more than ₹90 lakh in donations through donation boxes and receipt books.

On Tuesday (November 10, 2026), a day before the closure of the temple, the committee opened the donation boxes for the fourth time to count the offerings. The exercise yielded ₹10 lakh 42 thousand in cash, while approximately ₹6 lakh was collected through receipt books.