For the first time in about 17 years, the portals of the Badrinath shrine will be closed to the public for the winters in the evening after sunset.
The portals of the Badrinath shrine are slated to be closed to the public on the evening of November 19.
It should be mentioned here that while the Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines have been closed to the public for the winter season, the Badrinath shrine is still open.
However, the ritual procedure for closure of the portals has already begun with the Panch Pooja. This will be the first time in 17 years when the portals of the Badrinath shrine will be closed to the public in the evening time. This year, about 15 quintals of marigold, Juhi and Chameli flowers will be used to decorate the temple on the day of the closure of its portals for the public.
The ritual for the closure of the portals has already been started. On the first day -Wednesday morning, the Mahabhishek and Bal Bhog ceremonies were conducted in the shrine of lord Badrinath by the Rawat (chief priest) Ishwari Prasad Namdoobari.
After that the rituals were conducted in the shrine of lord Ganesha.
The priests and devotees worshipped lord Ganesha after which the portals of the shrine to lord Ganesha were closed by the Rawal. Apart from the local devotees, the devotees visiting Badrinath from across India and abroad were also present on this occasion on Wednesday.
According to sources, on Thursday, the portals of the Adi Kedareshwar shrine will be ceremoniously closed to the public. OnNovember 17, the Kadag Pustak will be worshipped and closed for the winters. later, on November 18, prayers will be offered to goddess lakshmi who will also be invoked to take her palce in the sanctum sanctorum of Badrinath shrine alongside the presiding deity. On November 19, the portals of the shrine will be closed to the public for the winters at 7:28 PM.