Plan to build Kedarnath temple replica in Delhi dropped; All you need to know

The controversial project to build a replica of the Kedarnath temple in Delhi has been officially withdrawn. The decision follows objections from various stakeholders, including those from Uttarakhand, regarding the impact on religious sentiments. The foundation stone for the temple, planned to be constructed in Burari, was laid by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Suman Mittal, president of the Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust, announced in a press release that the Trust has decided against constructing the temple. "We realised that proceeding with the project would hurt religious sentiments, as some people from Uttarakhand objected to it," Mittal said.

The Trust has also halted online donations for the project, which were being accepted via a QR code.


The proposal faced significant opposition from the priests of the original Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district. They argued that replicating one of the 12 revered 'Jyotirlingas' elsewhere would show disrespect to the ancient temple.

Additionally, the opposition Congress party organised a march (padyatra) from Har Ki Pairi in Haridwar to the Kedarnath temple to protest the construction. The march had to be called off early on the tenth day, after reaching Sitapur, due to severe rain on the night of July 31, which caused extensive damage to the Kedarnath trek route.

Inputs from PTI