Uttarakhand witnessed a breathtaking transformation as Kedarnath and Badrinath received the season’s first snowfall, painting the Himalayan shrines in pure white. The sharp temperature drop added to the winter charm, attracting tourists and devotees eager to witness nature’s beauty.
Early Snowfall Boosts Tourism Hopes in Uttarakhand
The higher reaches of Uttarakhand recorded the season’s first snowfall on Wednesday morning, blanketing the temple towns of Kedarnath and Badrinath and bringing a sharp dip in temperatures that signals the start of winter in the region. Snow began around 3 a.m. and continued for several hours — officials said the spell lasted until roughly 7 a.m., leaving a pristine sheet of white across shrine complexes, walking paths and the surrounding peaks.
At Badrinath Dham, more than 1,000 pilgrims were present when the snow fell. Many stepped out despite the freezing cold to see the snow-covered temple, according to eyewitnesses. Temple security continues under Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and members of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), and authorities emphasised that all roads leading to Badrinath remain open and safe for visitors.
Kedarnath recorded a similar scene: the shrine area and approach trails were dusted with snow after a slightly longer spell there than in Badrinath. BKTC officials said snowfall extended down to lower localities such as Garud Chatti,but stressed that pilgrim safety protocols are in place and rescue teams remain on alert. The BKTC president also reminded pilgrims that the Badrinath temple portal is scheduled to close for the winter season on November 25.
