PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The closure of the Char Dham portals has officially begun, marking the onset of preparations for the Winter Char Dham Yatra, the Uttarakhand Tourism, Religious Affairs and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said. He stated that significant steps are being taken to ensure the smooth transition into the winter pilgrimage season. The portals of Gangotri temple were closed for the winter after the ceremonial worship of Goddess Ganga with Vedic rituals on the occasion of Annakoot and Govardhan Puja on Wednesday. The worship of Goddess Ganga will now continue at her winter abode in Mukhwa. Maharaj said that the Char Dham Yatra strengthens Uttarakhand’s economy and urged devotees to visit the winter abode of the deities in Mukhwa ( Gangotri), Kharsali ( Yamunotri)

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