Char Dham Temples seek Ban on Entry of Non-Hindus

Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has asked for a ban on the admission of non-Hindus in response to a local temple council resolution. The development took place on 25^th January. Part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, the temples are located in Uttarakhand, tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas.

The Committee stated that the decision will be imposed on Mukhba, the winter residence of Maa Ganga, as well as the centuries-old shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Suresh Semwal, the Chairman of the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee, affirmed that the prohibition against non-Hindus entering the Dham and Mukhba will certainly be stongly enacted.

A proposal to forbid non-Hindus from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath and other temples under Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) authority will be presented at the Committee’s next board meeting, according to Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the Committee’s Chairman Hemant Dwivedi. Mr Dwivedi underlined the importance of preserving the State’s religious and cultural customs.

“The Char Dham shrines are not tourist spots and those who have no faith in Sanatan Dharma must not enter our sacred places,” said Mr Dwivedi. He asked why those who have no faith in Hindu Gods want to visit these temples. On being asked if the Temple Committee will not allow non-Hindu VIPs who visit these shrines every year, Mr Dwivedi said the ban will remain for the Temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

Responding to the call from priests, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “These religious sites are our ancient places of worship and those who run and manage these shrines, including members of our religious organisations like Ganga Sabha, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Seer community, etc. will have their opinions and views on the management of the shrines. These places hold great historical and religious significance, and certain laws were enacted regarding them in the past. We are reviewing those laws and will proceed based on that”.

Dhami’s orders to eliminate unlawful mazars or dargahs throughout the State were also commended by Dwivedi. He described the action as a major step in improving the region’s religious identity, cultural legacy alongside upholding law and order.