Kedarnath Priests Rally Against Delhi's Replica Temple Construction

The seers and priests of Kedarnath have initiated a protest against the construction of a temple in Delhi that replicates the ancient Himalayan temple located in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region. The agitation has now entered its third day, with demonstrators voicing their discontent in Kedarnath.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently attended the groundbreaking and stone-laying ceremony for the new temple at Hiranki in Burari. This event has sparked significant controversy among the religious community in Kedarnath.

Protest Against Replica Temple

Seers and priests argue that constructing a temple named Kedarnath Dham in Delhi disrespects the sanctity of the centuries-old Himalayan temple, which is deeply revered by generations of Hindus. Umesh Posti, associated with the priests' association in Kedarnath, expressed strong opposition to this project.

Swami Darshan Bharti, president of Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, alleged that the construction is part of a conspiracy. He urged believers of Sanatan Dharma to halt the project, stating, "Misusing the name of Baba Kedar is a sin. I appeal to all sanatanis to wake up and foil this conspiracy."

State Government's Clarification

Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee chairman Ajendra Ajay clarified that the state government is not involved in the construction of the Delhi temple. He stated, "The state government has nothing to do with the construction of the temple in Delhi. It is being done by an organisation named Kedarnath Trust."

Ajay further explained that no financial assistance has been provided by the state government for this project. He mentioned that Chief Minister Dhami attended the stone-laying function upon invitation from some seers and public representatives as it was a religious ceremony.

The protestors have been vocal about their concerns, shouting slogans against the state government. They believe that replicating such a sacred site undermines its historical and spiritual significance.

The controversy continues to unfold as both sides present their arguments. The seers and priests remain steadfast in their opposition, while officials clarify their stance on the matter.

This ongoing agitation highlights the deep-rooted reverence for traditional religious sites and the complexities involved in replicating them elsewhere.