Dehradun: Non-Hindus have been barred from entering Gangotri Dham in Uttarakhand after the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee unanimously approved the decision at a meeting. The restriction will also be enforced at Mukhba village in Uttarkashi district, which serves as the winter abode of Maa Ganga when the Gangotri temple remains closed due to heavy snowfall.
Committee Cites Religious Sanctity
Shri Gangotri Temple Committee chairman Suresh Semwal said the decision was taken to preserve the religious traditions and sanctity of the shrine. He stated that the entry of non-Hindus into Gangotri Dham and Mukhba will now be strictly prohibited and that the temple administration has been instructed to ensure effective implementation of the order.
Backdrop of Ganga Restrictions
The decision comes in the backdrop of recent restrictions imposed at several Ganga ghats in Haridwar, where access and activities have been regulated in the name of protecting religious sentiments and maintaining the spiritual atmosphere of the riverfront. Temple committee members said similar concerns had been raised regarding Gangotri, one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Coordination with Authorities
Semwal said the committee discussed the issue in detail before arriving at a unanimous conclusion. He added that coordination will be established with the local administration and police to enforce the ban, especially during the Char Dham Yatra season when footfall increases sharply.
Wider Temple Restriction Proposal
Meanwhile, Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi said a broader proposal is being prepared to extend similar restrictions to Badrinath, Kedarnath and all temples that fall under the jurisdiction of the committee. He said the proposal will be tabled at the next board meeting and a final decision will be taken after deliberations.
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Uniform Guidelines Across Shrines
Dwivedi indicated that if approved, the move could lead to uniform guidelines for temple entry across major shrines in Uttarakhand. He said the objective is to ensure that religious practices and traditions are respected at all prominent pilgrimage centres.
Implementation Instructions Pending
Officials said detailed instructions regarding checking mechanisms, coordination with district authorities, and communication of the decision to pilgrims and tourists will be issued in the coming days.
