Char Dham Yatra Concludes as Badrinath Dham Closes for Winter
BADRINATH (CHAMOLI): The sacred Char Dham Yatra officially concluded on Tuesday with the ceremonial closure of the Kapats of Badrinath Dham, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage season. The portals were closed at 2:56 PM, amid Vedic rituals and a large gathering of more than 5,000 devotees braving the cold weather of the temple town.
Before the closure, the temple complex was beautifully adorned with nearly 12 quintals of flowers, while donors from various regions organised Bhandaras for visiting pilgrims.
Traditional Rituals Marked the Closing Ceremony
The day began before dawn with the Mahaabhishek Puja, followed by the offering of Bal Bhog to the deity. Devotees continued to receive Darshan until about 1 PM, after which the final ritual process for closing the Kapats commenced around 1:30 PM.
In keeping with tradition, the idol of Goddess Lakshmi was placed in the Garbh Grah alongside Bhagwan Badri Narayan. The lord’s companions, Uddhav and Kuber, were also brought to the sanctum; later, Kuber was ceremoniously taken to Bamni village for the night halt. Earlier, the deity was wrapped in a special coarse woollen blanket dipped in ghee, prepared by the Mana Mahila Mandal.
Record-Breaking Pilgrimage Footfall
According to officials, the Char Dham Yatra recorded a significant increase in footfall this year, with over 51 lakh pilgrims undertaking the journey—4.35 lakh more than last year.
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Kedarnath witnessed the highest turnout at over 17.68 lakh pilgrims.
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Badrinath recorded more than 16.60 lakh visitors during the Yatra season.
Focus Now Shifts to the Winter Yatra
With the Char Dham Yatra now closed for the season, the state government is shifting its focus to the Winter Yatra, during which the presiding deities of the Char Dham are worshipped at their designated winter abodes.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the Yatra, stating that despite various challenges throughout the year, the number of pilgrims increased. He reiterated that ensuring the safety and convenience of pilgrims remains the government’s top priority, highlighting multiple initiatives taken to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience.
