The end of November tolls the end of the seven month long Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand for the year 2019. Traditionally, the world-famous Chardham pilgrimage comes to a halt just before icy winter sets in and the shrines become inaccessible due to snow.
Along with the famous-four i.e. Gangotri, Yamnotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, the first to close its portals is the Sikh place of worship Hemkund Sahib. Situated at an elevation of 15,197 feet in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, Hemkund sahib has special reverence for the Sikh community.
Hemkund Sahib re-opened for pilgrimage on the 1st of June this year and closed today i.e. 10th of October amidst the chanting of Gurubani.
The shrines of Gangotri and Yamunotri, the source of the Ganga and the Yamuna river respectively will close their portals on the 28th and 29th of October.
The dates for the closure of Badrinath and Kedarnath were announced on Vijaydashmi. Kedarnath, Shiva’s highest temple will close early, on the 29th of October at 8:30 a.m. followed by Badrinath Shrine, Vishnu’s abode, on the 17th of November at 5:13 am.
Annually, the Chardham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand kick offs in the month of April/May and works in a west to east direction in a clockwise manner. It begins from Yamunotri onto Gangotri and then proceeds to Kedarnath, terminating at Badrinath.
Compared to last year, when the portals re-opened on the 4th of March a whooping seven lakh pilgrims made their way to the four-shrines including, Hemkund Sahib. This year there has been a steady increase in the number of pilgrims putting the number at 8 lakh 46 thousand and counting, since the 25th of April this year.
Following spring, on Basant Panchami the dates for the re-opening of the shrines will be announced as per ancient rites and rituals.
