The dates for closure of the Char Dham shrines have been announced. The dates for closure of the shrines for the winter season were arrived at ceremoniously on the occasion of Vijay Dashami on Friday. According to the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee media- in-charge Harish Gaur, the portals of Gangotri shrine will be closed for the public at 12:30 PM on November 8. On November 9, the Kedarnath shrine will be closed for the public at 8:30 AM while Yamunotri will be closed at 3:15 PM on the same day on the occasion of Bhaiya Dooj.
The portals of Badrinath shrine will be closed to the public for the winters at 3:21 PM on November 20.
According to official sources, more than 16 lakh people have visited the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines this year since the temples were reopened to the public earlier in April. From April 30 when Badrinath was reopened to the public till October 18, a total of 9,76,021 persons had visited Badrinath. Similarly, since April 29, when Kedarnath was reopened to the public, a total of 7,07,323 persons had visited the shrine till October 18. A total of 16,83,344 people have visited these two shrines so far this year.