The portals of Kedarnath and Yamunotri will close for winters on Saturday and remain shut for the next six months, informed Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board.
The circuit of four ancient pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, including Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are referred to as ‘Char Dham’.
Badrinath Temple will close on November 20, said the officials.
After the religious ceremony for closing the portals of Kedarnath is performed today, a palanquin will leave for Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple. Similarly, a palanquin of Goddess Yamuna will leave for the village of Kharsali near Janki Chatti.
Meanwhile, the portals of the Gangotri shrine closed on Friday at 11.45 am after priests performed religious rituals.
A large number of pilgrims and local people were present to witness the ceremony. The Utsav Doli (palanquin) of Maa Ganga of the Gangotri shrine left for her winter abode at Mukhba, following the closure of portals of Gangotri for the next six months, and will reach there today on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.
