New Delhi: In a significant decision ahead of the Char Dham pilgrimage season, the temple administration has announced that entry to the historic Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in the Himalayas will be limited exclusively to Hindu devotees. Non-Hindus will not be permitted to enter these two sacred shrines, officials said.
The restriction will apply not only to Badrinath and Kedarnath but also to all temples managed by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi stated that the decision is aimed at preserving the religious sanctity and traditional practices of the temples. The proposal is expected to be formally approved at the upcoming board meeting of the temple committee.
The doors of the Badrinath temple are scheduled to open on April 23 after the customary six-month winter closure. The opening date of the Kedarnath temple will be announced on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
The Char Dham pilgrimage also includes the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples, whose portals will open on April 19, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya. With the pilgrimage season approaching, the announcement has drawn widespread attention among devotees and the public alike.
