The doors of Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath and Yamunotri have been closed for devotees, the news was announced by the Uttarakhand Chardham Devasthanam Management Board. This year, the Char Dham Yatra commenced on September 18 amid strict COVID restrictions and only fully vaccinated devotees were allowed to enter after presenting their negative RT PCR reports.
Gangotri Mandir Samiti co-secretary Rajesh Semwal said, as quoted by news agency PTI, the temple gates were closed at 11.45 am. The idol of Goddess Ganga was then taken on a palanquin decked with flowers for Mukhba village, her winter abode, he said.
Over 32,948 pilgrims visited Gangotri this season after the temple was opened for devotees in September amid Covid restrictions.
The portals of the other three shrines including Kedarnath and Yamunotri are also closed while those of Badrinath will close on November 30.
