Uttarkashi, Nov. 13 -- The portals of Shri Yamunotri Dham were ceremoniously closed for the next six months on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, amid the chanting of Vedic mantras and devotional slogans raised by pilgrims gathered at the shrine.

With the closure of the temple, the annual pilgrimage season at the world-renowned Yamunotri Dham came to an end, marking the conclusion of another year filled with faith, devotion and religious traditions.

This year, a total of 884,742 pilgrims visited the shrine and offered prayers to Goddess Yamuna, seeking her blessings. Following the closure of the temple portals, the ceremonial palanquin of Goddess Yamuna departed for her winter abode at Kharsali, also known as Mukhimath, ...