Non-Hindus will soon be prohibited from entering the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in Uttarakhand, part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, as per the decision of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). The restriction, which will apply to all temples managed by the committee, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams, aims to allow entry exclusively for Hindus. BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi confirmed the forthcoming implementation of this rule, with a formal proposal to be presented at an upcoming committee meeting.
The Badrinath temple is set to reopen on April 23 after a six-month winter closure, while the reopening date for the Kedarnath temple will be announced during Maha Shivratri. Apart from these two temples, the Chota Char Dham circuit also comprises Gangotri and Yamunotri, with their gates reopening on April 19 coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya. This decision comes amidst a wider discussion in Uttarakhand regarding limiting non-Hindu access to significant religious sites.
Recently, posters declaring Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri as a “Non-Hindus Prohibited Entry Zone” sparked controversy at the renowned pilgrimage site. The Shri Ganga Sabha, responsible for the posters, clarified that the intention was to inform people about the rules without any negative motives. Nitin Gautam, the President of Shri Ganga Sabha, emphasized the importance of public awareness of laws to prevent misunderstandings and maintain peace.
The banners were erected following incidents that highlighted the necessity for accurate information to avoid conflicts. Gautam stressed that the objective was to educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities to uphold law and order, fostering harmony within society. Calls to restrict non-Hindu entry in Haridwar have been ongoing, especially with the upcoming Ardh Kumbh festival on the horizon.
