The portals of world famous Badrinath shrine were closed ceremonially for winters on Tuesday. Amid symphonies of band of Garhwal scouts the closure of the shrine was witnessed by thousands of pilgrims and devotees.
The portals were closed at 4.35 pm after the ceremonial prayer. As per the tradition the Chief Rawal of shrine wore female attire and placed the idols of goddess laxmi and lord Vishnu in the sanctum- sanctorum of temple for six winter months. The woolen clothes woven by the girls of Mana village were offered to lord on the occasion.
An estimated 7000 devotees offered their prayers and witnessed the closure of portals. The temple committee collected Rs 6 crores from the offerings of 359146 devotees who visited the temple in this season. The legend has it that the Puja of lord Badrinath is done for six months by Nar (humans) which is symbolized by Rawal and six months by god Narad. After closure of temple the palanquin carrying idols of lord Udhav and Kuber and seat of Shankaracharya is taken to Pondukeswar for winters. The closure of the shrine also marks the end of Char Dham Yatra for the year.