THE PORTALS OF SRI HEMKUND SAHIB OFFICIALLY CLOSED FOR THE WINTER

Kulbir Singh Kalsi/Chamoli 

The portals of Sri Hemkund Sahib, located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, were officially closed for the winter season on October 10, 2026. The final Ardas (prayer) was performed at 12:30 PM on October 10, and the portals were closed at 1:00 PM.

The morning began with the recitation of Sukhmani Sahib and Shabad-Kirtan, followed by the *Hukamnama* and the ceremonial transfer of the Guru Granth Sahib to Sachkhand Sahib, led by the Panj Pyaras. This year—spanning the period from the opening of the portals on May 23, 2026, to October 10—a record number of over 3.84 lakh devotees paid their obeisance.

Devotees from Pakistan also participated in the closing ceremony. Given the heavy snowfall and biting cold in the area during the closure, police and SDRF teams were deployed to ensure safety.