RUDRAPRAYAG (U’Khand), Oct 23: The sacred Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas was closed for the winter season on Thursday morning amid Vedic chants and rituals, marking the end of this year’s Chardham Yatra to the high-altitude Himalayan temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

After special prayers, the doors of Baba Kedar were closed for devotees at 8:30 am, officials of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with hundreds of pilgrims, priests, and officials, attended the ceremony.

Following the closure, the palanquin (doli) of Lord Kedarnath began its journey to the deity’s winter abode at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. The procession will halt at Rampur on Thursday night and reach Guptkashi on Friday before ar

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