'Non-Sanatanis' barred from Badrinath and Kedarnath temples

DEHRADUN: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has approved a connection to barroom "non-Sanatanis" - radical who bash not travel Sanatan Dharma - from entering 47 temples nether its jurisdiction successful Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath.

The determination was taken astatine the temple committee's fund gathering astatine its Dehradun office, chaired by BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi. The president had indicated successful January that the committee was considering restrictions connected the introduction of non-Hindus astatine the Char Dham shrines. He said, "The determination was taken to guarantee that lone those who judge and person religion successful Sanatan Dharma sojourn the Char Dham shrines and different temples."

He added that the regularisation would use to the innermost sanctum and the contiguous temple premises. Dwivedi defended the move, saying it was aimed astatine preserving the sanctity of temples successful Uttarakhand.

Temple committee approves Rs 121 crore for Char Dham yatra

During the aforesaid meeting, the committee approved the estimated fund for the adjacent fiscal year, keeping successful presumption preparations for the upcoming Char Dham yatra. Of the full 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 different decision, the committee approved the instauration of a Teerth Purohit Welfare Fund aimed astatine improving the societal and economical information of temple priests associated with the pilgrimage. Dwivedi said the money would enactment payment measures for teerth purohits, including fiscal assistance and different benefits.The portals of Kedarnath temple are scheduled to unfastened connected April 22, portion Badrinath temple volition unfastened connected April 23 for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are acceptable to unfastened connected April 19 connected the juncture of Akshaya Tritiya. Committee officials said preparations for the pilgrimage play were being intensified successful presumption of the increasing fig of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines each year.