Kedarnath Temples (Source: Instagram)
The upper regions of Uttarakhand turned into a winter wonderland on Wednesday morning as heavy snowfall covered the sacred shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Thick layers of snow blanketed the temple premises, nearby mountains, and connecting routes, transforming the holy sites into a stunning white landscape.
Officials reported that the snowfall in Badrinath Dham began around 3 am and continued until 7 am, bringing a sharp fall in temperature.
“The spell of snow that began at 3 am continued till around 7 am, leading to a sharp dip in temperature and heralding the onset of the winter season here,” said Sunil Purohit, Executive Officer of the Badrinath Nagar Panchayat.
Despite the cold, more than 1,000 pilgrims were present at Badrinath to witness the rare early snowfall. “It was freezing cold, but we couldn’t resist stepping out to see the snow-covered temple,” said Shubankar Chatterjee, a pilgrim from Kolkata.
The temple area continues to remain under the watch of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and members of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), even after the shrine’s seasonal closure. Temple priest Anand Shukla of the Kedar Sabha mentioned that the snowfall extended down to Garud Chatti.
A similar scene unfolded at Kedarnath Dham, where the temple, surrounding peaks, and walking trails were all covered in snow. According to BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi, the snowfall in Badrinath lasted around four to five hours, while Kedarnath witnessed a slightly longer spell.
Despite the heavy snow, Dwivedi confirmed that all roads leading to Badrinath remain open and safe for pilgrims. “The portal of the Badrinath temple is scheduled to close on November 25,” he added.
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