Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand): Ahead of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, the Gangotri Temple Committee has decided to ban the entry of non-Hindus into Gangotri Dham. The committee’s president, Suresh Semwal, announced this decision in a video message. This ban will also apply to Mukhba village, the winter abode of the deity.
Ban on Entry of Non-Hindus: It is noteworthy that the Gangotri Temple Committee has taken this major decision to protect the religious sanctity and traditions of Gangotri Dham. The committee has decided to completely ban the entry of non-Hindus into the Dham. The date for the opening of the Char Dham Yatra is decided during Chaitra Navratri. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit Gangotri Dham to have darshan of Goddess Ganga. Earlier, the temple committee officials held a meeting and decided to prohibit the entry of non-Hindus into Gangotri Dham and Mukhba, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga. The entry of non-Hindus has also been prohibited in the temple premises and on the Ganga Ghat. Temple Committee Takes Major Decision: Gangotri Temple Committee President Suresh Semwal issued a statement through social media stating that the entry of non-Hindus into the Dham will be prohibited. He said that this restriction will also apply to Mukhba, the winter abode. The temple committee will ensure that non-Hindus do not enter the temple premises or the Ganga Ghat. He further said that this step is necessary to maintain the sanctity of these holy places.
Gates Open on Akshaya Tritiya: As soon as the gates of Gangotri Dham open, lakhs of devotees from India and abroad arrive to have darshan of Goddess Ganga. The Dham remains bustling with activity for six months. Thousands of people’s livelihoods are also linked to this pilgrimage. This year, the date for the opening of the gates of Goddess Ganga will be decided during Chaitra Navratri, after which the gates of Gangotri Dham will open on Akshaya Tritiya. This time, the temple committee has taken this major decision. The decision regarding Badrinath and Kedarnath will be made at the board meeting: It is worth noting that a proposal to prohibit the entry of non-Hindus into all temples under the jurisdiction of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee will be presented at the upcoming board meeting. Recently, the chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Hemant Dwivedi, stated that protecting the religious and cultural traditions of Uttarakhand is paramount. Hemant Dwivedi said that traditionally, the entry of non-Hindus has been restricted in the chain of temples established from Kedarkhand to Manaskhand, but these traditions have been violated during the time of non-BJP governments. Therefore, concrete steps will be taken to ensure the proper observance of these traditions.
