PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara and the ancient Lokpal Lakshman Mandir were ceremoniously closed to the public for the winter on Friday. Situated at an altitude of about 15,000 feet in the Chamoli district, these shrines were closed ritually at about 1:30 PM amidst religious chants.
The Gurudwara was opened to the public on May 25 this year. As witnessed in the Char Dham shrine which have been visited by more pilgrims so far compared to the entire Yatra period last year, a large number of pilgrims visited the Gurudwara and neighbouring temple this year. According to officials, a total of 2.75 lakh people visited the Gurudwara and the Mandir this year. During the Yatra period last year, these shrines were visited by 1.83 lakh people.
