Thousands of devotees on Tuesday thronged the Badrinath temple in Garhwal Himalayas as its portals were closed for the winter, bringing to an end this year’s Chardham yatra.
The gates of the temple were shut after elaborate prayers and rituals, Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti official B D Singh said.
Around 8,000 devotees visited the temple on the last day of the yatra season to pay obeisance.
After the closure ceremony held in the presence of religious leaders, administrative officials and thousands of devotees, an idol of Lord Vishnu was taken in a palanquin to Joshimath where the deity will be worshipped during winter, he said.
The gates of the other three shrines known as Chardham including Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath have already been closed for the season.
Located at a height of 10,170 feet, gates of Badrinath and those of the other three Himalayan shrines are closed annually around this time of the year for the winter when they remain snow-bound.
The Chardham yatra had commenced on April 21 this year with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines after a six-month winter break.
Deities of the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri have been moved to Joshimath, Ukhimath, Kharsali and Mukhba, respectively where pilgrims and tourists can pay obeisance during winter. -- PTI
