Gangotri and Yamunotri Temples Closing for Winter
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
The pilgrimage season for the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi is coming to an end. According to tradition, the Gangotri temple will close on Saturday, November 2, and the Yamunotri temple will close on Sunday, November 3. These closures coincide with the Annakoot and Bhaiyadooj festivals, respectively.
Special Ceremonies and Traditions
Before the doors close, special prayers and worship ceremonies are held. On Saturday, the Gangotri temple will close at 12:14 pm, and the idol of Ganga ji will be moved to Mukhwa village, where it will stay during winter. Devotees can visit and worship at the Ganga temple in Mukhwa.
Similarly, the Yamunotri temple will close on Sunday at 12:05 pm. The idol of Yamuna ji will be taken to Kharsali village, where devotees can visit during winter.
Preparations and Pilgrim Statistics
The Gangotri and Yamunotri Temple Committees have completed all preparations for the closures, including special decorations. The administration and police have ensured all necessary arrangements. This season, 1,521,752 pilgrims visited the temples, with 710,210 visiting Yamunotri and 811,542 visiting Gangotri.
Doubts Revealed
Gangotri and Yamunotri -: Gangotri and Yamunotri are two famous Hindu temples located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. They are dedicated to the goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, who are important river deities in Hinduism.
Uttarkashi -: Uttarkashi is a district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is known for its beautiful mountains and is a popular place for pilgrims and tourists visiting the temples and natural sites.
Annakoot -: Annakoot is a Hindu festival celebrated as part of Diwali, where a large variety of food is offered to the deities. It symbolizes abundance and gratitude.
Bhaiyadooj -: Bhaiyadooj is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is similar to Raksha Bandhan and is celebrated during the Diwali festival.
Mukhwa and Kharsali -: Mukhwa and Kharsali are villages in Uttarakhand, India. During the winter, the idols from the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples are moved to these villages for worship because the main temples are closed due to heavy snowfall.
1.5 million pilgrims -: 1.5 million pilgrims means that 1.5 million people visited the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples during the pilgrimage season. Pilgrims are people who travel to holy places for religious reasons.