Gangotri shrine closes for winter

UTTARKASHI: The portals of the Gangotri shrine in Uttarkashi district were closed for a six-month winter break on Friday. Many devotees were left disappointed as they failed to attend the closing ceremony since the Gangotri highway was blocked to traffic for several hours after boulders fell on the road.
Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the statue of Goddess Ganga was shifted to Mukhwa village where devotees can offer prayers for the next six months.After the portals closed at 11:40am, the idol was carried in a palanquin to its winter abode.
Mukesh Semwal, president, Gangotri Mandir Samiti, said, “Gangotri becomes snowbound during peak winter months and the temple reopens to devotees in May after the snow has melted and the roads are cleared.”
Meanwhile, falling boulders blocked the Gangotri highway near Gangnani on Thursday night. The Border Roads Organization was able to clear the route around 11:15am on Friday. D S Patwal, disaster management officer, said, “It is unfortunate that many people missed the ceremony even after so much effort by the administration.”