Non Sanatanis not allowed: Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee to restrict entry of non Hindus at 47 temples

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has approved a proposal to restrict the entry of people who do not follow Sanatan Dharma into 47 temples under its administration in Uttarakhand, including the major shrines of Badrinath Temple and Kedarnath Temple. The decision was taken during the committee’s budget meeting held in Dehradun and chaired by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi. According to the committee, the move is intended to ensure that only devotees who have faith in Sanatan Dharma visit the Char Dham shrines and other temples managed by the body.

Restriction on entry to Char Dham temples

Dwivedi had earlier indicated in January that the committee was considering restrictions on the entry of non Hindus at the Char Dham temples.

He said the measure was meant to protect the sanctity of the temples and maintain the religious character of the shrines.


“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,” Dwivedi said.

He added that the restriction would apply specifically to the innermost sanctum and the immediate temple premises.

Temple committee approves Rs 121 crore for Char Dham Yatra

At the same meeting, the committee also approved its budget for the upcoming pilgrimage season, allocating Rs 121 crore for preparations related to the Char Dham Yatra in the 2026–27 financial year.

Of the total amount, Rs 57.5 crore has been earmarked for development and management work at Badrinath Dham, while Rs 63.6 crore has been allocated for Kedarnath Dham.

Teerth purohit welfare fund approved

The board also approved the creation of a Teerth Purohit Welfare Fund aimed at improving the social and economic security of temple priests associated with the pilgrimage.

According to Dwivedi, the fund will support welfare measures for teerth purohits, including financial assistance and other benefits.

Opening dates for Char Dham temples

Meanwhile, the portals of Kedarnath temple are scheduled to open on April 22, followed by the opening of Badrinath temple on April 23 for the 2026 pilgrimage season.

The portals of Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple will open earlier on April 19 on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

Committee officials said preparations for the pilgrimage season have been intensified as the number of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines continues to grow each year