Navigate

Will Non-Hindus Be Allowed In Kedarnath And Badrinath Temples?

Badrinath Kedarnath Ban Non-Hindus

Non-Hindus may soon be barred from entering the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. The temple committee president, Hemant Dwivedi, stated that a resolution to this effect may be passed at the upcoming board meeting. He added that temples are not tourist attractions and that entry is not a matter of civil rights. Here’s more on this.

Kedarnath & Badrinath Temples To Ban Non-Hindus?

According to NDTV, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which manages the Char Dham shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath and 47 other temples, has proposed the ban of non-Hindus at all shrines under its board. While talking to the media, the committee president Hemant Dwivedi said that these shrines aren’t “tourist destinations.”

“These are centres of the Vedic tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya. Article 26 of the Indian Constitution gives every religious denomination the right to manage its own religious affairs. This decision is not against anyone but is to protect centuries-old faith, discipline, and purity,” he justified his stance.

Also Read: Uttarakhand Bans Mobiles & Cameras In Kedarnath & Other Char Dham Temples; No Reels & Videos!

All You Need To Know About This

So, will non-Hindus really be banned from Badrinath and Kedarnath temples? Well, as of now, there has been no discussion about this with the temple committee. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in February and will focus on temple budgets and more, The Indian Express reported. This comes after the Uttarakhand government shared its proposal to ban the entry of non-Hindus at 105 ghats across Haridwar.

For now, the only confirmed update is that the Badrinath temple will reopen its gates on April 23 after a six-month winter closure. The reopening date for the Kedarnath temple will be announced on Maha Shivratri, while the gates of Gangotri and Yamunotri are set to reopen on April 19, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

Also Read: Char Dham Yatra 2026: Start Date, Booking Steps & All You Need To Know

Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Piyush Bhardwaj

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
Tashika Tyagi: Good coffee, charming cafes, indulgent desserts, and Indian street food - these are just a few things Tashika can never say 'no' to! When she’s not scouting out new spots to explore or eat at, you'll likely find her experimenting with Instagram recipes in the kitchen or binge-watching a K-drama.