Portals of Kedarnath Dham Close for Winter, Baba Kedar’s Doli Departs for Ukhimath

October 23, 2025 MTIMES 2 min read Baba Kedar doli, Badrinath Dham closure, Char Dham Yatra 2025, Hindu Pilgrimage, Kedarnath closing ceremony, Kedarnath Dham, Kedarnath temple rituals, Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand tourism

KEDARNATH: The sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were closed on Thursday morning for the winter season, and Baba Kedar’s revered doli (palanquin) departed for its winter abode at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. The ceremony took place amid devotional chants, flower showers, and the soulful tunes of the Garhwal Rifles band, filling the air with spiritual fervour.

With this, three of the four Char Dham shrines have officially closed for the season. Gangotri Dham closed on Wednesday, while Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham followed on Thursday. The Badrinath Dham will close its portals on November 25, marking the formal end of the Char Dham Yatra 2025.

According to the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee, special arrangements were made for devotees to have night-long darshan of Baba Kedar. Entry was allowed from midnight to 4 a.m., followed by the Samadhi Puja from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., during which the self-manifested Shivalinga was ceremonially covered with sacred ashes, grains, flowers, Rudraksha, and a white cloth. The sanctum was sealed at 6 a.m., and the main eastern gate closed precisely at 8:30 a.m.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also offered prayers at the holy shrine before the closing ceremony, seeking blessings for the prosperity and well-being of the state’s people.

Baba Kedar’s Doli Journey Schedule 2025

Date	Destination	Remarks
October 23	Rampur	First night halt of Baba Kedar’s doli
October 24	Guptkashi	Second halt before reaching winter abode
October 25	Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple)	Arrival at winter seat of Baba Kedar

The five-headed idol of Baba Kedar will remain at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for six months until the reopening of the portals next year.

The Char Dham Yatra 2025 has witnessed record participation, with over 4.5 million devotees visiting the four sacred shrines since its commencement on April 30. Pilgrims continue to throng Badrinath Dham, the only shrine yet to close, keeping the spirit of devotion alive in the Himalayas.

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