The portals of Badrinath shrine will be closed to the public for the winters from November 27 at 3.35 pm. As per tradition the date of the closure of the shrine was announced on the occasion of Vijayadashami on Friday. This is the first time in 15 years that the portals of Badrinath are being closed much later as generally this shrine is closed to the public by November 19.
The chief priest-Rawal of Badrinath, the Dharmadhikari, Veda reciters, Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee chief executive officer and traditional right holders of the temple committee were present on the occasion. The Rawal and Dharmadhikari consulted the Panchang — traditional Hindu calendar — to fix the date of the closure of Badrinath. After the portals of the shrine are closed for the winters on November 27.
It is believed that during the months of winter, the lord is worshipped by deities led by the celestial sage Narada at Badrinath for six months. The ritual procedure for closing the portals of the shrine for devotees begins four days before the date of closure. On November 23 after Ganesha Puja and Mahabhishek, the portals of the Ganesha shrine will be closed to the public.
The portals of Adi Kedareshwar will be closed after worship on November 24, followed by Vedic chanting on the next day while on November 26 special worship will be held at the lakshmi temple after which the portals of Badrinath will be closed to the public at 3.35 pm on November 27.