Kedarnath to Shut on November 11: How Worship Will Continue at Winter Temples

The portals of Kedarnath, Tungnath and Madmaheshwar temples in Uttarakhand will close for the winter season on November 11, November 6 and November 16, respectively. Following the closures, the deities will be ceremonially moved to their designated winter abodes, where worship and religious rituals will continue.

According to the Rudraprayag administration and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the portals of Kedarnath Temple will close at 8:30 am on November 11, coinciding with Bhai Dooj.

The deity’s ceremonial palanquin will depart from Kedarnath on November 11 and reach Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on November 13. The temple serves as Kedarnath’s winter abode, where devotees can continue offering prayers after the main shrine closes.

The portals of Tungnath Temple will close on November 6. The deity’s palanquin will leave Bhankun Cave on the same day and reach Makkumath Temple, its winter seat, on November 8. Worship will continue at the winter location during the closure period.

Meanwhile, Madmaheshwar Temple will close its portals on November 16. The deity’s palanquin is scheduled to reach Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on November 19, where religious rituals will continue throughout the winter season.

The annual closures mark the seasonal transfer of worship from the high-altitude shrines to their designated winter abodes. During winter, snowfall and harsh weather conditions can make the Himalayan temples difficult to access.

As part of established religious traditions, the deities are ceremonially carried to their winter seats, allowing devotees to continue their religious observances after the main shrines close. Ukhimath hosts winter worship associated with both Kedarnath and Madmaheshwar, while Makkumath serves as the winter seat of Tungnath.

The scheduled processions will mark the transition from the main pilgrimage season to winter worship at the designated temples.