Non-Hindus To Be Banned In Badrinath And Kedarnath? Temple Committee Plans Big Move

Non-Hindus will be denied entry to the two temples, which form a key part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.

Apart from Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Chota Char Dham circuit also includes Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Source : PTI

Only Hindus will now be permitted to enter the centuries-old Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in Uttarakhand, the body that manages the Himalayan shrines has announced. Non-Hindus will be denied entry to the two temples, which form a key part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.

The restriction will apply to all temples administered by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Confirming the decision, BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi said that non-Hindus will not be allowed inside any shrine under the committee’s jurisdiction, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams.

Proposal To Be Approved Soon

Dwivedi added that a formal proposal enforcing the rule will be approved at the upcoming board meeting of the temple committee.

The Badrinath temple is scheduled to reopen on April 23 after remaining closed for six months during winter. The opening date for the Kedarnath shrine will be announced on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Apart from Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Chota Char Dham circuit also includes Gangotri and Yamunotri. The gates of these two shrines are set to reopen on April 19, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya.