Authorities managing some of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the Himalayas have decided to move towards restricting the entry of non-Hindus into key temples in Uttarakhand. The decision concerns the centuries-old Badrinath Temple and Kedarnath Temple, both of which are part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The temples are administered by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which confirmed that a formal proposal will be placed before its board in an upcoming meeting.
According to temple officials, the proposed restriction will apply not only to Badrinath and Kedarnath but also to all temples that come under the control of the BKTC. An official associated with the committee said the move is aimed at protecting long-standing religious traditions and ensuring that temple rituals continue strictly according to Hindu scriptures and customs. The decision, once approved, will be implemented across relevant temples in Uttarakhand.
Char Dham: A similar stand has been taken by authorities at Gangotri Dham, another important shrine in the Char Dham circuit. Gangotri Temple Committee president Suresh Semwal stated that the committee has firmly decided to ban the entry of non-Hindus into the temple premises. He added that the same rule will apply to Mukhba village, which is considered the winter abode of Goddess Ganga when the main temple remains closed due to extreme weather conditions.
At present, the doors of the Gangotri temple are closed to devotees. Every year, heavy snowfall and severe cold force the closure of all four Char Dham temples between October and November. The shrines usually reopen for pilgrims in April or May. During the six-month winter period, devotees offer prayers at the deity’s winter residence in Mukhba instead of the main temple.
Temple authorities clarified that the restriction is still at the proposal stage and has not yet received official approval. However, if the BKTC board endorses the decision, the new rules could come into effect in the near future. The move has already sparked discussion among devotees and the wider public, but temple committees insist that the intention is not exclusion, but the preservation of religious sanctity and traditional practices.
