Hemkund Sahib’s Portals Close for Winter

GG News Bureau

Gopeshwar, 10^th Oct. The famous Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib in the Garhwal Himalayas closed its doors for the winter season on Monday.

Despite the severe chill caused by heavy snowfall in the area over the past few days, a large number of devotees flocked to the shrine to witness its ceremonial closure, said Sardar Seva Singh, senior manager of the gurdwara.

On the occasion, over 1,400 devotees were present.

Sikh volunteers kept removing fresh snow from the gurdwara premises for the convenience of devotees as the rituals receding the closure started early in the morning, he said.

This year’s “shabd-kirtan” and “antim ardas” were held before the doors were closed to devotees.

This season, nearly 2.25 lakh devotees visited the shrine.