Gangotri Dham to Close for Winter on November 10 on Annakut Festival

Uttarkashi, October 20(HS): The portals of the world-renowned Yamunotri Dham will be closed for the winter season on November 11, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. On Tuesday, Vijayadashami, the Yamunotri Temple Committee finalised the auspicious time for the closure in accordance with the Vedic calendar. With this announcement, the date marking the conclusion of this year’s Char Dham pilgrimage season at Yamunotri has also been confirmed.

According to the Yamunotri Temple Committee, the portals of the shrine dedicated to Goddess Yamuna will be closed for the winter at 10:28 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, amid the chanting of Vedic mantras. The ceremony will take place during the Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha, under the Anuradha Nakshatra and Saumya Yoga, in the Dhanu Lagna.

Following the closure on Bhai Dooj, the ceremonial palanquin of Goddess Yamuna will depart for Kharsali, her traditional winter abode, in accordance with established rituals and customs. During the winter months, devotees from India and abroad will be able to visit the temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna in Kharsali to offer prayers and seek her blessings.

Meanwhile, the date for the closure of Gangotri Dham has already been announced. The portals of the shrine will be closed for the winter season at 12:05 p.m. on November 10, coinciding with the Annakut festival, following the prescribed religious rituals and prayers.

On the same day, the ceremonial palanquin of Goddess Ganga will depart for Mukhba village. The procession will halt overnight at Chandi Temple and reach Mukhba on November 11, the occasion of Bhai Dooj. Devotees will be able to visit the deity and offer prayers there over the following six months.

Those present on the occasion of the announcement of Yamunotri Dham’s winter closure included Yamunotri Temple Committee Secretary Sunil Uniyal, spokesperson Purushottam Uniyal, treasurer Pradeep Uniyal, Panch Pada Committee Secretary Girish Uniyal and Manmohan Uniyal, among others.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar