Archive · 27 Jan 2026
Badrinath-Kedarnath Committee Proposes Non-Hindu Ban
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee in India wants to stop people who are not Hindus from entering the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.
They also want to do this for the Gangotri and Mukhba temples.
The committee says this is to protect their old traditions.
The Badrinath temple will open again on April 23, and the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will open on April 19.
The date for Kedarnath will be announced on a special day called Maha Shivratri.
Some people are happy about this decision, but others are not.
The government says they will follow the committee's suggestions.
There are also signs at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar saying non-Hindus cannot enter, which is a rule from a long time ago.
The Opposition Congress says this is not fair and that the rules should be the same everywhere.
Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) proposes banning non-Hindus from Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Mukhba temples.
The ban is to protect centuries-old faith, discipline, and purity, and is not against any specific group.
The proposal will be passed in the upcoming temple committee board meeting.
Badrinath temple to reopen on April 23 after a six-month winter closure; Gangotri and Yamunotri temples to reopen on April 19.
Kedarnath temple reopening date to be announced on Maha Shivratri.
- Who
- Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), Shri Gangotri Temple Committee, Ganga Sabha, Opposition Congress
- What
- Proposal to ban non-Hindus from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Mukhba, and Har ki Pauri
- When
- Proposal to be passed in the upcoming board meeting; Badrinath reopening on April 23; Gangotri and Yamunotri reopening on April 19; Kedarnath reopening date to be announced on Maha Shivratri
- Where
- Uttarakhand, India
- Why
- To preserve religious and cultural traditions, and to follow long-standing practices
Temple Committee
Opposition Congress
Purpose of the Ban
Temple Committee
The ban is to protect centuries-old faith, discipline, and purity, and is not against any specific group.
Opposition Congress
The ban is hypocritical and politically motivated, as it is not uniformly applied to all pilgrimage sites.
Religious Conduct
Temple Committee
The issue is about faith and religious discipline, and anyone with faith in Sanatan Dharma is welcome.
Opposition Congress
Non-Hindu communities have contributed to the construction of many temples and should not be restricted.
- Temples
- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Mukhba, Har ki Pauri
- Location
- Uttarakhand, India
- Managing Body
- Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), Shri Gangotri Temple Committee, Ganga Sabha
- Proposal Status
- To be passed in upcoming board meeting
- Badrinath Reopening Date
- April 23
- Gangotri and Yamunotri Reopening Date
- April 19 (Akshaya Tritiya)
- Kedarnath Reopening Date Announcement
- On Maha Shivratri
- Number of Temples Under BKTC
- 45
Sources
Badrinath-Kedarnath To Ban Non-Hindus? Temple Panel To Pass Proposal Soon
‘Protecting traditions’: Badrinath-Kedarnath Committee proposes ban on non-Hindu entry
Non-Hindus not allowed at Uttarakhand shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri Dham, Haridwar's Har ki Pauri: Reports
Non-Hindus won’t be allowed to enter Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Mukhba: Temple committees declare to enforce entry restrictions
Uttarakhand: ‘Ban non-Hindus’ entry to Gangotri Dham,’ proposes Temple Committee; CM Dhami to take final call
Debate intensifies over non-Hindu entry into Badrinath-Kedarnath temples
Debate rages over entry of non-Hindus into Badrinath, Kedarnath
Row heats up over non-Hindu entry into Badrinath, Kedarnath shrines
Proposal to ban non-HinduProposal to ban non-Hindus from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath temples likely this weeks from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath temples likely this week
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Arshad Madani slams proposal to ban entry to non-Hindus at Badrinath, Kedarnath
Badrinath-Kedarnath may ban non-Hindus from entering temples. Not everyone’s on board
