Gangotri temple closes for winter, Goddess Ganga’s palanquin departs
The Gangotri temple in Uttarkashi closed its portals for winter on Tuesday. Goddess Ganga’s processional palanquin departed for her winter abode, where the deity will be worshipped according to traditional rites for the next six months by devotees
Uttarkashi: The portals of the Gangotri temple here were closed for the winter season on Tuesday, with the processional palanquin carrying Goddess Ganga departing for Mukhimath, her winter abode.
The palanquin is scheduled to arrive in Mukhba village on Wednesday morning, where devotees will be able to seek the blessings of Goddess Ganga for the next six months.
Preparations for the closure of the shrine’s portals began in the morning.
The ceremony began with the removal of the crown from the idol of Goddess Ganga, during which devotees were allowed ‘darshan’. The portals were closed to the public at precisely 12.05 pm. Priests performed special prayers.
Amid melodies played by the Indian Army’s Kumaon Regiment band and the rhythmic beats of traditional drums, priests set off on foot at 12.15 pm, escorting the palanquin towards Mukhba. The palanquin will halt overnight at the Markandey Devi temple, about 4 km from Mukhimath.
On the morning of November 11, the palanquin of Goddess Ganga will leave the Markandey Mata temple for the Ganga temple in Mukhimath, where the deity will be worshipped according to traditional rites for the next six months.
