Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday announced that the group will construct a ropeway to the holy Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand. The project aims to make the pilgrimage route safer and more convenient for thousands of devotees visiting the revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva each year.

Gautam Adani shared the development in a post on X, expressing his gratitude and devotion. He wrote, “The difficult climb to Kedarnath Dham will now become easier. The Adani Group is constructing this ropeway to make the pilgrimage for devotees simpler and safer.” He further added, “It is a matter of pride for us to be a part of this pious endeavour. May Mahadev continue to bestow his grace upon all. Jai Baba Kedarnath!” His message reflected both his spiritual connection and the group’s commitment to supporting religious tourism through infrastructure improvement.

केदारनाथ धाम की कठिन चढ़ाई अब आसान होगी।
अदाणी समूह श्रद्धालुओं की यात्रा को सरल और सुरक्षित बनाने के लिए यह रोपवे बना रहा है।

इस पुण्य कार्य का हिस्सा बनना हमारे लिए गर्व की बात है।
महादेव सब पर अपनी कृपा बनाए रखें।

जय बाबा केदारनाथ!#Adani pic.twitter.com/9f3VIGAWt6

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 15, 2025

The upcoming ropeway is expected to significantly reduce travel time and physical strain for pilgrims, especially older visitors who find the steep trek challenging. Located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas, the Kedarnath temple is one of the most sacred sites in the Char Dham circuit and attracts lakhs of devotees every year during the yatra season.

Temple Closure Dates Announced for Kedarnath and Badrinath

While Gautam Adani’s announcement has stirred excitement among devotees, preparations are also underway for the annual winter closure of Himalayan temples. The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) said that the portals of Kedarnath Dham will be ceremoniously closed on October 23 for the winter season. This ritual marks the end of the pilgrimage period as heavy snowfall begins in the upper Himalayan region.

According to the Committee, the portals of Badrinath Dham will close later, on November 25, at 2:56 PM. The closing dates for both shrines were fixed on Vijayadashami, following traditional practices. The decision was taken after an elaborate religious ceremony held at the Badrinath temple premises, in the presence of Dharmadhikari, Vedic scholars, and BKTC officials. The event followed Panchang calculations, adhering to centuries-old customs.

The Rawal of Badrinath Dham formally announced the closure dates during the ceremony. The ritual, observed every year, is considered highly auspicious and marks the transition of the deity to the winter abode for worship until next spring.

Rituals Before Closure and Upcoming Season’s Preparations

As stated in the press release, the same day also saw the finalisation of dates for the traditional Panch Pujas that take place before the temple doors are shut for the season. These concluding rituals are performed to mark respect and continuity of divine presence before the idols are moved to their winter seats.

Other key moments include the ceremonial departure of Shri Uddhav Ji and Shri Kuber Ji to Pandukeshwar, and the movement of Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s Gaddi and Shri Garud Ji, Vishnu’s sacred carrier, to their winter location at the Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath. The auspicious timings for these processions are determined based on astrological and religious principles.

Simultaneously, decisions regarding the closure of other Kedars also take place. At the Panch Kedar winter seat and the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the closure date of Shri Madmaheshwar Ji’s portals is announced. Likewise, at Shri Markateshwar Temple in Makkumath, the date for closing the third Kedar, Shri Tungnath Ji, is determined. These rituals symbolise the holistic completion of the annual pilgrimage cycle across the sacred Himalayan temples.

The ceremonial turban (Pagdi) for Bhandar Seva for the 2026 pilgrimage season is also presented during the ceremony, marking the continuity of religious service and preparations for the next year’s yatra. As the mountain temples prepare to close their doors for winter, the announcement of the new Kedarnath ropeway brings hope that the journey for devotees will soon become both more accessible and safer.

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