Gangotri Temple Committee Bans Non-Hindu Entry; Similar Restrictions Considered For Badrinath And Kedarnath

Non-Hindus will no longer be permitted to enter Gangotri Dham in Uttarakhand after the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee unanimously approved a restriction on 25 January.

The decision also applies to Mukhba village, the winter seat of Maa Ganga, and extends to the centuries-old religious traditions associated with the region.

Confirming the move, Shri Gangotri Temple Committee chairman Suresh Semwal said the prohibition on non-Hindu entry into both the dham and Mukhba would be implemented strictly.

The development has prompted similar discussions across other major shrines in the state.

BJP leader and Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman Hemant Dwivedi said a proposal to bar non-Hindus from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath and all temples governed by the BKTC would be placed before the committee’s board in its forthcoming meeting.

Dwivedi underscored the importance of protecting Uttarakhand’s religious ethos, stating, "Historically, entry to temples across Kedarnath and Mana regions has been restricted to Hindus. During non-BJP governments, these traditions were often overlooked. Steps will now be taken to ensure full compliance."

He also lauded Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s recent directives to remove illegal shrines across the state, describing them as a decisive step towards reinforcing Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, religious identity and law and order.

Dwivedi added that closer coordination between the government and temple management bodies would help preserve the sanctity of pilgrimage sites.

Responding to the proposal, Chief Minister Dhami said the "administration will act according to the recommendations of the committees and institutions managing the state's pilgrimage sites".

Meanwhile, preparations are under way for the reopening of the Char Dham shrines following their winter closures.

The Badrinath temple in Chamoli district is scheduled to reopen on 23 April, with the date finalised through traditional rituals at the Tehri royal palace in Narendra Nagar on Basant Panchami.

Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarkashi will reopen on 19 April on Akshaya Tritiya, while the opening date for Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag will be announced on Maha Shivratri.

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