No entry for non-Hindus: Uttarakhand’s top shrines tighten rules

Uttarakhand: Temple authorities in Uttarakhand have decided to bar non-Hindus from entering several major shrines, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Mukhba, citing the need to preserve long-standing religious traditions and customary practices.

The Shri Gangotri Temple Committee announced that non-Hindus will not be permitted to enter Gangotri Dham or Mukhba, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga. Committee chairman Suresh Semwal said the decision was unanimous and would be strictly enforced.

Meanwhile, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman and BJP leader Hemant Dwivedi said a proposal to formally prohibit non-Hindus from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath and all temples managed by the BKTC will be placed before the committee’s board meeting. He said the move was aimed at safeguarding Uttarakhand’s religious and cultural identity.

Dwivedi stated that historically, entry to temples in the Kedarnath and Mana regions had been restricted to Hindus, but these traditions were not consistently enforced in the past. He added that steps would now be taken to ensure full compliance with established customs.

The BKTC chairman also welcomed Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s recent directives to remove illegal shrines across the state, describing them as important for protecting religious heritage and maintaining law and order. He expressed confidence that closer coordination between the state government and temple committees would help preserve the sanctity of Uttarakhand’s temples.

The decisions have sparked discussion around the balance between religious tradition and access, but temple authorities maintain that the measures are rooted in centuries-old practices specific to the Himalayan shrines.