Tritiya Kedar Shri Tungnath Temple closes for winter, Lord Tungnath proceeds for Chopta
The portals of Tritiya Kedar Shri Tungnath Temple were ceremonially closed at 11:30 am on Thursday due to the winter season. After the closing Lord Tungnath’s ‘Chal Vigrah’ (idol of winter holiday) proceeded towards its first stop at Chopta.
Tritiya Kedar Shri Tungnath Temple closes for winter (ANI)
The portals of Tritiya Kedar Shri Tungnath Temple were ceremonially closed at 11:30 am on Thursday due to the winter season. After the closing Lord Tungnath’s ‘Chal Vigrah’ (idol of winter holiday) proceeded towards its first stop at Chopta. The Temple Committee said that the temple was beautifully decorated with flowers on the occasion and more than five hundred devotees witnessed the holy closing ceremony.
Early in the morning, the temple was opened for devotees to pray and take darshan. Daily rituals and worship were performed as usual followed by devotees paying obeisance. In the presence of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, the process of official closure of the temple began around 10:30 am. After performing Bhog, Yagya, Havan and other ceremonies, Lord Tungnath’s natural Swayambhu Shivlinga was ceremonially placed in the state of Samadhi and at 11:30 am the gates of the temple were officially closed for the winter.
Before leaving, Lord Tungnath’s Chal Vigrah Doli was placed in the temple courtyard, where he circumambulated the building and blessed the devotees. Amidst the sounds of traditional drums and instruments and chants of “Baba Tungnath Ji Ki Jai”, the procession set off towards Chopta, filling the surroundings with spiritual fervor and devotion.
Earlier, Kedarnath Dham portals would be closed from 8:30 am on October 23 for winter on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. According to Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain, this year’s Kedarnath yatra was very successful. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will be present at the closing of the temple portal.
“This year’s Kedarnath Yatra was very successful. The portals of Kedarnath Dham will be closed tomorrow, October 23, at 8:30 am. The administration has made all the arrangements. It is a day of great excitement for everyone. The Prime Minister will also be here tomorrow,” Jain told ANI. Kedarnath Dham, a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus, organized an evening aarti on Wednesday. A large number of devotees attended the event to participate in this meaningful ceremony.
