PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Uttarkashi
The process of the closure of the Char Dham will begin today in Uttarkashi district with the ritual closing of Gangotri Dham to the public for the winter. The Dham will be closed at 12:05 PM on Tuesday.
The Utsav Doli of goddess Ganga will also depart to her winter abode of Mukhba on the same day. As per the preparations made by the temple committee, the Utsav Doli of the goddess will depart from Gangotri today and halt for the night at the Markandeya Annapurna Mandir.
The devotees will be fed and will spend the night singing bhajans and praying to the goddess. The next day, an army band will also accompany the procession as it reaches Mukhba, considered to be her maternal home.
The villagers have also finalised arrangements for welcoming the goddess. With the closure of Gangotri to the public for the six months of winter, the goddess will be worshipped ritually at Mukhimath in Mukhba.
