DEHRADUN: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has approved a proposal to bar “non-Sanatanis” – people who do not follow Sanatan Dharma – from entering 47 temples under its jurisdiction in Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath. The decision was taken at the temple committee’s budget meeting at its Dehradun office, chaired by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi. The chairman had indicated in January that the committee was considering restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at the Char Dham shrines. He said, “The decision was taken to ensure that only those who believe and have faith in Sanatan Dharma visit the Char Dham shrines and other temples.” Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says it targeted Israeli military intelligence & naval base; fresh explosions heard in DubaiMiddle Easat crisis: MEA condemns attack on India-bound Thai ship; remarks innocent lives lost in conflict ‘unacceptable”Legitimate targets’: Iran issues warning to US tech firms including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, NvidiaHe added that the restriction would apply to the innermost sanctum and the immediate temple premises. Dwivedi defended the move, saying it was aimed at preserving the sanctity of temples in Uttarakhand.Temple committee approves Rs 121 crore for Char Dham yatraDuring the same meeting, the committee approved the estimated budget for the next financial year, keeping in view preparations for the upcoming Char Dham yatra. Of the total 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 another decision, the board approved the creation of a Teerth Purohit Welfare Fund aimed at improving the social and economic security of temple priests associated with the pilgrimage. Dwivedi said the fund would support welfare measures for teerth purohits, including financial assistance and other benefits.The portals of Kedarnath temple are scheduled to open on April 22, while Badrinath temple will open on April 23 for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are set to open on April 19 on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Committee officials said preparations for the pilgrimage season were being intensified in view of the growing number of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines every year.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNo LPG Shortage: Govt Unveils Plan To Prioritise Homes, Hospitals, SchoolsPreparing Against Joint China & Pakistan Threat, India Buys More Weapons Than Any Nation : Report‘Parliament Is Not A Party Office’: TMC’s Sayani Ghosh Targets Modi Govt During Speaker Trust MotionLok Sabha Drama Ends With Voice Vote Defeating Opposition Move Against Speaker Om BirlaFirst Group Of Indian Students In Iran To Head Towards Armenia Border Amid Security Concerns‘FOMO Gandhi’: BJP MP Anurag Thakur’s Viral Dig At Rahul Gandhi, Calls Him ‘Leader Of Propaganda”Speaker Above Party Lines’: Amit Shah Attacks Congress Over Rare Lok Sabha No Confidence MotionLearning from Iran, Indian Army Conducts Live Firing Drill Against Drone Swarms At PokhranPM Modi Assures Safety Of Indians Amid West Asia War, Slams Cong-Left For ‘Creating Panic’Historic Ruling: After 13 Years In Coma, Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia For Harish Rana123PhotostoriesDevoleena Bhattacharjee gets emotional recalling caring for her mother during schizophrenia attacks from the age of 11; says brother’s death led to a phase of depressionA red Chanderi saree, royal bandhgala and Mumbai sunset: Pictures from Kritika Kamra-Gaurav Kapur’s intimate Bandra home weddingMahesh Babu-Namrata Shirodkar: Love story born on ‘Vamsi’ sets, sealed in private vowsHardik Pandya to Abhishek Sharma: Indian players flash diamond studs and chains during T20 World Cup 2026 triumph5 key features that make cruiser bikes comfortable for highway ridingHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for dinner to keep the stomach coolThe ‘3-hour dinner rule’: Doctors say this simple change could improve heart health and longevityIs collecting airline miles still worth it? 5 things travellers should know7 birds that use Earth’s magnetic field to travel the globeSilent bone loss can begin after 30 in women: Doctors explain why it happens and the simple steps that can help keep bones strong123Hot PicksStrait of Hormuz naval minesChina Yj-12 missileUCC gender biasCovid vaccine compensation policyIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIran War Impact on IndiaIPL Teams Match ScheduleGold Price PredictionMumbai TemperatureSouth Asia Country Diesel and Petrol PriceUS Iran War ImpactUAE F-16Brain dead womenBombay high courtMiddle East War
DEHRADUN: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has approved a proposal to bar “non-Sanatanis” – people who do not follow Sanatan Dharma – from entering 47 temples under its jurisdiction in Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath. The decision was taken at the temple committee’s budget meeting at its Dehradun office, chaired by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi. The chairman had indicated in January that the committee was considering restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at the Char Dham shrines. He said, “The decision was taken to ensure that only those who believe and have faith in Sanatan Dharma visit the Char Dham shrines and other temples.” He added that the restriction would apply to the innermost sanctum and the immediate temple premises. Dwivedi defended the move, saying it was aimed at preserving the sanctity of temples in Uttarakhand.
Temple committee approves Rs 121 crore for Char Dham yatra
During the same meeting, the committee approved the estimated budget for the next financial year, keeping in view preparations for the upcoming Char Dham yatra. Of the total 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 another decision, the board approved the creation of a Teerth Purohit Welfare Fund aimed at improving the social and economic security of temple priests associated with the pilgrimage. Dwivedi said the fund would support welfare measures for teerth purohits, including financial assistance and other benefits.The portals of Kedarnath temple are scheduled to open on April 22, while Badrinath temple will open on April 23 for the 2026 pilgrimage season. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are set to open on April 19 on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Committee officials said preparations for the pilgrimage season were being intensified in view of the growing number of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines every year.
