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Badrinath-Kedarnath May Ban Non-Hindus in Major Temple Access Proposal

The chairman of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has stated he will table a proposal to prohibit non-Hindus from entering the Kedarnath and Badrinath temple complexes. Hemant Dwivedi asserted these sites are supreme spiritual centers of Sanatan traditions, making entry a matter of religious faith, not civil rights. The proposed ban would extend to all 48 temples managed by the committee, including the Panch Kedar and Panch Badri shrines. This move follows a similar unanimous decision by the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee to ban non-Hindus from Gangotri Dham.

Key Points: Proposal to Ban Non-Hindus from Badrinath, Kedarnath Temples

  • Proposal to ban non-Hindus from temples
  • Sites termed spiritual centers, not tourist spots
  • Follows similar ban at Gangotri Dham
  • Ban would cover 48 associated temples
2 min read

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee chairman to propose barring non-Hindus

Temple committee chairman to propose barring non-Hindus from entering Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, calling them spiritual centers, not tourist sites.

"The question of entry here is not a matter of civil rights, but rather a matter of religious faith. - Hemant Dwivedi"

Dehradun, January 26

Hemant Dwivedi, chairman of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, on Monday stated that at their upcoming board meeting, they will table a proposal to prohibit non-Hindus from entering Shri Kedarnath Dham and Shri Badrinath Dhams.

Speaking to ANI, the chairman asserted that these shrines are not tourist destinations but the supreme spiritual centres of Sanatan traditions. Hence, the issue of non-Hindu entry to these sites is a matter of religious faith, he added.

"Shri Kedarnath Dham and Shri Badrinath Dham are not tourist destinations. They are the supreme spiritual centres of Sanatan traditions. The question of entry here is not a matter of civil rights, but rather a matter of religious faith," Dwivedi said.

He apprised of bringing forward a proposal to completely ban anyone who does not have faith in Sanatan Dharma.

"We have not implemented any new rule. Our pilgrimage priests, our stakeholders, and the saint community believe that the entry of non-Hindus should be prohibited at these religious institutions, centres of religious faith. They should be completely banned from here, and in our upcoming board meeting, we will be bringing forward a proposal to completely ban anyone who does not have faith and belief in Sanatan Dharma, who does not believe in Mother Ganga, who does not have faith in Baba Kedar, who does not have faith in Lord Badrinath, from this area," Dwivedi said.

"All 48 of our temples under the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Dham, which include the two main shrines of Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrinath, and 46 other temples, including Panch Kedar, Panch Badri, Ukhimath, Kalimath, Triyuginarayan, Bhavishya Badri, Narsingh Temple, all our religious institutions and temples, this ban will be fully implemented in all of them," he added.

Earlier, the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee took a unanimous decision to ban non-Hindus from entering Gangotri Dham. Committee Chairman Suresh Semwal stated that, following this resolution, the entry of non-Hindus into the Dham will be strictly prohibited. He further clarified that this ban will also remain in effect at Mukhba, the deity's winter residence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I have mixed feelings. While I respect the religious sentiments, India has always been about "Atithi Devo Bhava" (the guest is God). Many foreigners come with genuine curiosity about our culture. A complete ban feels harsh. Maybe a system with prior permission for respectful visitors?
R
Rohit P
Finally! This is long overdue. These are our most sacred temples. Would other religions allow just anyone to walk into their holiest sites? It's about faith, not tourism. The Char Dham yatra is a spiritual journey for Hindus. Jai Badri Vishal! 🙌
S
Sarah B
I'm an American who visited Badrinath last year. The beauty and spirituality were overwhelming. It's sad to think others might be barred from that experience. I came with respect and left with a deeper appreciation for Hindu traditions. A blanket ban seems to miss an opportunity for cultural exchange.
V
Vikram M
The committee must think this through practically. How will they check? Ask for a "Hindu certificate"? This could lead to harassment of Indian citizens who don't "look" a certain way. The intention might be pure, but the implementation could be problematic.
K
Karthik V
I support this move. After Gangotri, it's the right step. These are places for worship, not Instagram photo ops. We've seen disrespectful behavior from some tourists. Let's protect our dhams. The saints and priests know what's best for the sanctity of the place.

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