Badrinath Dham 'Panch Puja' 2026: The 'Panch Puja' (five-day ritual) commenced on Thursday at the world-renowned Badrinath Dham, ahead of the temple doors closing for the winter season. A series of traditional religious rites will be performed during this period. The doors of the Badrinath temple will be closed on Monday, November 16, at 9:37 PM. On November 17, the palanquins (palkis) carrying the idols of Lord Badri Vishal and other deities will depart for their winter abode. This marks the beginning of the arrangements for the winter pilgrimage period. Notably, the doors of the Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri shrines have already been closed for the winter.

Day 1 (Worship of Lord Ganesha) – Thursday, November 12: As part of the annual closing rituals, the doors of the Shri Ganesha temple—located within the Badrinath temple complex—are closed. Following the rituals dedicated to Lord Ganesha, his idol is placed within the main sanctum (main hall).

Day 2 (Closing of the Adi Kedareshwar and Adi Shankaracharya temples) – Friday, November 13: On the second day, the doors of the Adi Kedareshwar temple and the temple of Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya are closed for the winter season, with prayers offered to Lord Shiva and Guru Shankaracharya.

Day 3 ('Khadga-Pustak Puja' and cessation of Vedic recitations) – Saturday, November 14: This day is marked by the 'Khadga-Pustak Puja' (worship of sacred scriptures). Additionally, the chanting and recitation of Vedic hymns within the temple are concluded for the duration of the winter.

Day 4 (Invitation to Goddess Lakshmi and 'Kadhai Bhog') – Sunday, November 15: On the fourth day, a special offering known as 'Kadhai Bhog' is presented to Goddess Lakshmi by the chief priest (Rawal). Additionally, Goddess Lakshmi is invited to enter the main sanctum sanctorum of Lord Badrivishal and take her place alongside Him.

Fifth Day (Entry of Goddess Lakshmi and Closing of the Main Doors) – Monday, November 16: On this final day, Goddess Lakshmi is installed within the sanctum sanctorum of the Badrinath Temple, while the idols of Lord Uddhava and Lord Kubera are brought outside. Following this, amidst prescribed rituals and the chanting of mantras, the doors of Badrinath Dham are closed for the winter season. The next day, the ceremonial palanquin (utsav doli) of the Lord departs for His winter abode (Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath).

Upon the conclusion of the 'Panch Puja' (five-day ritual series), the main doors of Badrinath Dham will be closed for the winter season at 9:37 PM on Monday, November 16. On Tuesday, November 17, the palanquins carrying the idols of Lord Uddhava, Lord Kubera, and Adi Guru Shankaracharya will depart for their designated winter abodes. The palanquin of Lord Badrivishal will also set out toward Pandukeshwar. These rituals will be conducted by the temple's Rawal (head priest), Dharmadhikari, and other Acharyas. Officials from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee and other administrative authorities will also be present during this time.

The Temple Committee is making all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the 'Panch Puja' and the door-closing ceremony. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Badrinath is one of the four primary pilgrimage sites within the 'Char Dham' circuit. It is also a significant part of the 'Chota Char Dham' pilgrimage circuit and is renowned for its sacred Badrinath Temple. This year, more than 2.27 million (22.7 lakh) devotees visited Badrinath Dham to seek the blessings of Lord Badrinath. Three of the four 'Dhams'—Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath—have already closed for the winter season, and the process for closing the portals of Badrinath Dham has now begun. The portals of Badrinath Dham are closed only after the 'Panch Puja' (a series of five rituals), which spans five days. It is believed that through these five rituals, the tradition of Lord Badrinath’s winter repose is fulfilled.

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