In Uttarakhand, the portals of Gangotri  Dham were closed for six-month winter break on the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Pooja today. The Portals of Yamunotri and Kedar Nath Shrine will be closed tomorrow.

Our  correspondent reports that amid vedic rituals, the shrine, dedicated to goddess Ganga was closed on the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Pooja at  11.40 today. Priests offered special prayers and conducted rituals before closing the portals of the Gangotri temple. Then the palanquin carrying the idol of goddess Ganga was taken out amid chanting of vedic hymns. The procession led by Army band also saw villagers playing traditional instruments and thousands of devotees praying as it moved towards Chandi Devi temple situated at Markanday Puri region for night stay.”During winter Pooja Archana of Godess Ganga will be performed at Mukhba in Mukhimath. This yatra season more than 5 lac pilgrims visited the shrine.

Situated in the serene heights of the great Himalayas, the four pilgrim-destinations Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are collectively known as Char Dham. These pilgrimage centers draw the maximum numbers of pilgrims each year and are the most important hubs of religious travel in the whole of Northern India.