Priests in Uttarakhand Protest Construction of Kedarnath Temple in Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttarakhand is facing a major controversy as the priest community in the state is strongly opposing the construction of a temple in Delhi, symbolically named after the Kedarnath shrine. The foundation stone of this temple was laid by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami last week, sparking widespread anger among the priests.

The priest community, which plays a crucial role in the state’s religious tourism economy, is upset that the name of Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlings, is being used for commercial gains. Brijesh Sati, general secretary of the Uttarakhand Char Dham Teerth Purohit Maha Panchayat, explained that while they have no issue with building Shiva temples, replicating Kedarnath is unacceptable. He warned that if the temple project is not shelved, the priests will take their agitation to the state capital.

Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the Jyotir Math, also expressed his opposition to the move, stating that Kedarnath is a sacred site in the Himalayas and cannot be replicated. He had previously condemned the consecration of an unfinished Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

In response to the uproar, Chief Minister Dhami issued a statement, saying that a Jyotirlinga cannot be replicated and temples can be built at other places. The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee is seeking legal advice on the issue and has promised to take action against those who misuse the name or photo of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.

However, Surendra Rautela, president of the Kedarnath Dham Trust in Delhi, clarified that the Uttarakhand government is not involved in the construction of the temple. Despite the Chief Minister’s attempt to downplay the controversy, BJP leaders in the state feel that the damage is already done.

The controversy has significant implications for the BJP, which lost the Badrinath seat in the recent Assembly bypoll. The state is gearing up for another bypoll in Kedarnath, following the demise of MLA Shaila Rani. The BJP had previously lost the Ayodhya seat, which was a major focus of their poll campaign. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to revitalize the Kedarnath temple after the 2013 floods, the BJP cannot afford to lose this temple, which is a favorite among devotees.

The controversy highlights the importance of respecting religious sentiments and the need for careful consideration when using sacred symbols for commercial purposes. It also underscores the significance of the priest community in Uttarakhand’s religious tourism economy and their role in shaping public opinion.

Historical Context:

• The Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlings, a group of Shiva temples considered to be the most sacred in Hinduism.
• The temple has a rich history, dating back to the 8th century, and is considered one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas.
• The temple was severely damaged in the 2013 floods, which led to a massive reconstruction effort led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The temple is a significant tourist destination and a major source of revenue for the state of Uttarakhand.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Priests in Uttarakhand are protesting the construction of a temple in Delhi named after the Kedarnath shrine, citing concerns over commercialization and disrespect for the sacred site.
• The priest community is upset that the name of Kedarnath is being used for commercial gains, and warns that they will take their agitation to the state capital if the project is not shelved.
• The Shankaracharya of the Jyotir Math, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, has also expressed opposition to the move, stating that Kedarnath is a sacred site in the Himalayas and cannot be replicated.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has attempted to downplay the controversy, stating that a Jyotirlinga cannot be replicated and temples can be built at other places.
• The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee is seeking legal advice on the issue and has promised to take action against those who misuse the name or photo of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.
• The controversy has significant implications for the BJP, which lost the Badrinath seat in the recent Assembly bypoll and is gearing up for another bypoll in Kedarnath.
• The controversy highlights the importance of respecting religious sentiments and the need for careful consideration when using sacred symbols for commercial purposes.
• The priest community plays a crucial role in Uttarakhand’s religious tourism economy and their role in shaping public opinion is significant.