Non-Hindus Barred only from Sanctum Sanctorum of 47 Uttarakhand Temples Ahead of Char Dham Yatra; Entry to Outer Areas and Services Allowed.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Dehradun | March 12, 2026:: In a significant decision ahead of the Char Dham Yatra 2026, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has resolved to prohibit the entry of non-Hindus into the sanctum sanctorum of 47 temples under its administration, including the revered shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. However, the committee has clarified that the restriction applies only to the innermost sacred areas of the temples, and non-Hindus will continue to be allowed along pilgrimage routes and in providing services to pilgrims.

The decision was taken during the BKTC’s budget meeting held at its camp office in Dehradun on Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi, also approved the committee’s budget of ₹121.7 crore for the financial year 2026–27. Along with financial matters, the proposal to restrict entry of non-Sanatan followers into the sanctum areas of temples managed by the committee was unanimously passed.

The resolution comes weeks before the Char Dham Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on April 19 with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples. Registration for the pilgrimage began on March 6, and the Uttarakhand government is currently strengthening infrastructure and logistical arrangements to manage the annual influx of millions of devotees.

Explaining the decision, BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi said the measure was aimed at preserving the sanctity of the temples’ innermost sacred spaces.

“Those who believe in Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma and have unwavering faith in Baba Kedarnath and Badri Vishal are welcome to offer prayers in the sanctum areas. However, those who do not follow the Sanatan tradition will not be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum of these temples,” he said.

Dwivedi emphasised that the restriction does not prohibit non-Hindus from participating in the pilgrimage journey or providing services to devotees. Many of the high-altitude temples in Uttarakhand are accessible only with the help of porters, palanquins (dolis), basket carriers (kandis), horses and mules, services that are often operated by people from different communities, including Muslims. The committee clarified that these service providers will continue to operate as usual up to the outer areas of the temple premises, and the new rule will not affect their livelihood.

The temples and sacred sites where entry into the sanctum sanctorum has been restricted include Badrinath and Kedarnath, along with Triyuginarayan Temple, Narsingh Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Omkareshwar Temple, Kalimath Temple, Brahmakapal Shila and the Badrinath Parikrama route, Tapt Kund, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar, Yogdhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, Vriddha Badri, Mata Murti Temple, Vasudev Temple, Gauri Kund Temple and Adi Kedareswar Temple.

The restriction also applies to the Panch Shilas of Badrinath—Narad Shila, Narsingh Shila, Varahi Shila, Garud Shila and Markandeya Shila—as well as the Panch Dharas, namely Prahlad Dhara, Kurma Dhara, Bhrigu Dhara, Urvashi Dhara and Indira Dhara. Other sites covered under the order include Usha Temple in Ukhimath, Kalishila and Vasudhara.

According to the BKTC, the term non-Hindu or non-Sanatani refers to those who do not follow Sanatan Dharma. However, the committee clarified that the restriction will not apply to followers of Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, which it considers traditions that emerged from the broader Sanatan cultural stream. Members of these communities will therefore be permitted to visit and offer prayers.

The development comes in the backdrop of earlier demands by religious organisations in Uttarakhand to restrict non-Hindu entry at certain sacred locations. Earlier this year, the Ganga Sabha in Haridwar had called for similar restrictions at Har Ki Pauri, even installing signboards declaring the area a restricted zone for non-Hindus. The move had triggered widespread debate and political reactions across the country.

While some opposition leaders and organisations criticised such proposals as discriminatory, certain religious leaders argued that each religion has the right to maintain its own rules regarding sacred spaces.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had earlier stated that the government would respect the views of religious institutions responsible for managing temples and pilgrimage sites in the state. These include bodies such as the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Tirth Sabhas, the Ganga Sabha and various saint communities.

The BKTC, which administers Badrinath, Kedarnath and a total of 47 temples across Uttarakhand, said the decision has been taken to maintain the sanctity and religious traditions of the shrines while ensuring that the pilgrimage system and services supporting it continue without disruption.

With the Char Dham Yatra 2026 set to begin next month, the implementation of the new protocol—restricting entry only to the sanctum sanctorum while allowing non-Hindus along the pilgrimage routes and service networks—will be closely watched as preparations for the Himalayan pilgrimage gather pace.

Critics, however, argue that the controversy is being politically amplified. Some observers claim that the issue has gained prominence at a time when the Uttarakhand government is facing questions over the missing holy silver sceptre (Roop Chhad) of Kedarnath. They point out that historically these 47 temples and shrines have traditionally restricted entry into the sanctum sanctorum and immediate sacred precincts to Hindu devotees, and therefore view the latest announcement as an instance of heightened political messaging rather than a fundamentally new religious practice.