'Non-Sanatanis' barred from Badrinath and Kedarnath temples

DEHRADUN: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has approved a proposal to bar "non-Sanatanis" - people who do not follow Sanatan Dharma - from entering 47 temples under its jurisdiction in Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath.

The decision was taken at the temple committee's budget meeting at its Dehradun office, chaired by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi.





The chairman had indicated in January that the committee was considering restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at the Char Dham shrines.

He said, "The decision was taken to ensure that only those who believe and have faith in Sanatan Dharma visit the Char Dham shrines and other temples."



He added that the restriction would apply to the innermost sanctum and the immediate temple premises.

Dwivedi defended the move, saying it was aimed at preserving the sanctity of temples in Uttarakhand.

Temple committee approves Rs 121 crore for Char Dham yatra

During the same meeting, the committee approved the estimated budget for the next financial year, keeping in view preparations for the upcoming Char Dham yatra. Of the total allocation of Rs 121 crore for 2026-27, Rs 57.5 crore was earmarked for Badrinath Dham and Rs 63.6 crore for Kedarnath Dham.

In another decision, the board approved the creation of a Teerth Purohit Welfare Fund aimed at improving the social and economic security of temple priests associated with the pilgrimage. Dwivedi said the fund would support welfare measures for teerth purohits, including financial assistance and other benefits.

The portals of Kedarnath temple are scheduled to open on April 22, while Badrinath temple will open on April 23 for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are set to open on April 19 on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Committee officials said preparations for the pilgrimage season were being intensified in view of the growing number of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines every year.
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