Sunday, 03 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | UTTARKASHI
The process of the closure of the Char Dham Yatra this year began on Saturday with the closure of the Gangotri Dham to the public. The portals of this shrine to Goddess Ganga were closed on the occasion of Annakoot at 12:14 PM amidst Vedic chanting and traditional rituals. Thousands of devotees were present at the shrine in Uttarkashi district on the occasion. The devotees also paid obeisance to the goddess during the ritual worship and Abhishek of her Utsav Murti. Gangotri resounded with devotees hailing the goddess with chants of ‘Har Har Gange’ as her Utsav Murti was kept on the Doli (palanquin) to be taken to her winter abode of Mukhwa village. Folk musicians and an army band played various tunes as the procession departed from Gangotri. According to the temple committee office bearers, the procession of the goddess will halt at the Chandi Devi Mandir at Markandeyapuri on Saturday night. On Monday, the procession will reach her winter abode at Mukhwa in the presence of Someshwar Devta. After reaching the winter abode of the goddess, her Utsav Murti will be placed at the Ganga Mandir for the winter. Devotees will be able to pay obeisance to the goddess and offer prayers here during the winter months while the main shrine at Gangotri remains closed. Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan, sub divisional magistrate Mukesh Chand Ramola, temple committee head Dharmanand Semwal and thousands of devotees were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, preparations have been completed for the ritual closure of Yamunotri for the winter on Sunday. The shrine to Goddess Yamuna will be closed to the public on the occasion of Bhai Dooj today at 12:05 PM. The Utsav Murti of the goddess will be placed in her winter abode at Kharsali in Uttarkashi district during the winter months.
