The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has proposed restricting the entry of non-Sanatanis, or non-Hindus, into temples under its administration, including the prominent Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines in Uttarakhand.
The proposal was approved during a recent meeting of the committee held in Dehradun as part of preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. If implemented, the restriction will apply to around 47 temples managed by the committee across the state.
Officials said the move is intended to preserve the religious traditions and sanctity of these temples, which are regarded as some of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. According to the proposal, only followers of Sanatan Dharma would be allowed to enter the temple premises and take part in religious activities at these shrines.
Badrinath and Kedarnath are key temples in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and attract lakhs of devotees every year. Authorities are expecting a large turnout of pilgrims during the 2026 Char Dham Yatra, which is scheduled to begin in April.
During the meeting, the temple committee also approved a budget of about ₹121 crore for development works and arrangements for the pilgrimage season. Of this amount, about ₹57.47 crore has been allocated for works at Badrinath Dham, while approximately ₹63.60 crore has been earmarked for Kedarnath Dham.
The funds will be used to strengthen infrastructure and improve facilities for pilgrims, including accommodation, sanitation, electricity and water supply. Officials said the aim is to ensure better management and services for devotees visiting the temples during the yatra.
The committee also discussed measures to improve crowd management and coordination during the pilgrimage season. As part of the preparations, a camp office is expected to be set up in Rishikesh to help with administrative work and logistics related to the Char Dham Yatra.
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