Today, on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, the doors of Maa Yamuna Temple at Yamunotri Dham were officially closed for six months following elaborate rituals and worship. After the closure, Maa Yamuna's ceremonial palanquin (Utsav Doli) departed for its winter abode in Kharsali village, amidst the cheers of devotees.
Yamunotri Dham Door Closing: The doors of Yamunotri Dham, one of Uttarakhand's Char Dhams, were ceremonially closed today for the winter season on the sacred occasion of Bhai Dooj. Following Gangotri and Kedarnath Dhams, the doors of Yamunotri Dham have now also closed for devotees for the next six months. Maa Yamuna's ceremonial palanquin has now departed for its winter residence in Kharsali village, where devotees will be able to worship Maa Yamuna for the upcoming six months.
Doors Closed After Special Worship
According to Purushottam Uniyal, spokesperson for the Yamunotri Temple Committee, along with Secretary Sunil Uniyal and Treasurer Pradeep Uniyal, special religious rituals and worship began at the temple from the morning before the closure. The doors of Maa Yamuna Temple were closed for the winter season at the auspicious time of 12:30 PM. Earlier, around 8 AM, the palanquin of Shani Dev Maharaj departed from Kharsali village for the Dham, accompanied by traditional musical instruments.
Upon reaching the Dham, Shani Dev Maharaj, brother of Yamuna, took a holy dip in the Yamuna River and participated in special worship alongside his sister, Maa Yamuna. Subsequently, the temple doors were closed amidst the cheers of devotees and Vedic chants.
Maa Yamuna to be Worshipped in Kharsali
After the closure of the doors, Maa Yamuna's ceremonial palanquin set off for its winter abode in Kharsali village. For the next six months, the worship and darshan (sacred viewing) of Maa Yamuna will take place in Kharsali. This is the customary location where Maa Yamuna is worshipped every winter. Kharsali village, situated in Uttarkashi district, is considered the winter residence of Yamunotri Dham. Thousands of devotees visit here for the darshan of Maa Yamuna.
In the same sequence, the doors of Gangotri Dham were also closed at 11:36 AM in the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat on Annakoot festival. Following the closure of Gangotri Temple's doors, Maa Ganga's ceremonial palanquin and Bhogmurti (consecrated idol) have been traditionally taken to Mukhba village, where she will reside for six months. Worship of Maa Ganga will now take place in Mukhba village, and devotees will be able to visit there for her darshan. According to the temple committee, approximately 7,58,249 devotees have visited Gangotri Dham for Maa Ganga's darshan this year, which is higher than previous years.
With the closure of the doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 has formally concluded. The doors of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams had already closed on October 21 and 22, respectively.
