Gates of Gangotri and Yamunotri Shrines to Close for Winter on November 2 and 3

Uttarkashi, October 11: The sacred doors of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines will close for the winter season on November 2 and 3, respectively. Following tradition, the Gangotri Dham gates will shut at 12:14 PM on November 2 during the auspicious *Abhijeet Muhurat* on the occasion of Annakut festival. Meanwhile, Yamunotri Dham’s gates will close on Bhaiya Dooj on November 3. The timings for the gate closures are traditionally determined during the Sharad Navratri.

On Friday, the priests of both Gangotri and Yamunotri announced the auspicious moments for the closing of the shrines. After the closure on November 2, the deity's Doli will depart from Gangotri and rest overnight at the *Markandeya* temple, before moving to its winter residence in the village of Mukhwa on November 3.

Suresh Semwal, secretary of the Gangotri Temple Committee, informed that following tradition, the closing date of Gangotri shrine is decided on the first day of Sharad Navratri. This year, Maa Ganga’s Doli will reach her maternal home in Mukhwa for her six-month winter stay on November 3. Other members of the temple committee were also present during the announcement.

Similarly, the priests of Yamunotri Dham have confirmed that the gates of the shrine will close on November 3, as per the *Muhurat* decided on Dussehra. According to Ashish Uniyal, Rawal of Yamunotri Dham, Maa Yamuna's Doli will travel to Kharsali village on November 3 for the winter stay, accompanied by the Doli of Someshwar Devta.