November 15, 2023 – On the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj today, the sacred portals of the Kedarnath Dham were closed for the winter season at 8:30 AM. The resonating chants of Baba Kedarnath filled the air during this closure ceremony. On Tuesday, Baba Kedarnath’s fifth-faced idol, adorned with rituals and worship, was moved from the temple’s sanctum sanctorum to the Sabha Mandap.
The day began with prayers and rituals in the temple’s garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) at 4 AM. The idol of Baba Kedarnath, in the form of a self-manifested lingam, was covered with flowers, akshat (unbroken rice), worship materials, and sacred ash.
At 7 AM, the ceremonial idol of Baba Kedarnath, representing the five faces of the deity, was brought from the temple’s inner sanctum to the Sabha Mandap in a grand procession. Following this, the temple gates were closed at 8:30 AM, marking the commencement of the winter hiatus.
The festivities continue as the ceremonial idol will embark on a night journey to the winter abode at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. On November 17th, Baba Kedarnath will be ceremonially present at the Omkareshwar Temple for the six-month winter puja and rituals.
The morning rituals were conducted by the chief priest, adhering to the religious traditions. The self-manifested lingam of Baba Kedarnath was reverently placed in a meditative state, adorned with flowers, worship materials, and covered with sacred ash.
At 7 AM, the ceremonial offering of bhog (food offering) to Baba Kedarnath will take place in the Sabha Mandap. The Panchamukhi bhog idol will be placed in a procession doli, signifying the conclusion of the winter season’s religious ceremonies. Subsequently, the temple gates will be closed at 8:30 AM, symbolizing the commencement of the winter season break.