Shri Kedarnath Delhi Dham Temple: The controversy has increased as soon as the construction of Baba Kedar's temple started in Burari, Delhi. Shri Kedarnath Delhi Dham Temple is being built on 3 acres in Delhi. On July 10, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also performed its Bhoomi Pujan. Although Kedar Dham Trust is constructing the temple in Burari, but after the puja, there is opposition to the construction of the temple. Dissatisfaction has been expressed about this from Kedarnath Dham to Kedar Valley.
This has caused resentment among the pundits and priests associated with Kedarnath Dham. They say that the faith of crores of Hindus is associated with Kedarnath Dham, in such a situation, building Baba Kedarnath's temple somewhere else is against the dignity of the pilgrimage and is also an attack on people's faith in the Dham. Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda has also opposed this temple being built in Delhi. He said that if Kedar is in the Himalayas then how can you build it in Delhi. When everyone knows then why would you want to change the address? Why are people confused?
What does the government say?
At the same time, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami says that Baba Kedarnath's Dham cannot be built anywhere else in the world. He has also given necessary guidelines to the chairman of the Badri Kedarnath Temple Committee. Chief Minister Dhami said that if a temple is built in any name of Baba Kedarnath, it will not affect the dignity of that place.
Opposition to temple construction
Surendra Rautla, founder and president of Shri Kedarnath Dham Trust Burari, Delhi, said that the Kedarnath temple is being built in Delhi, not the Dham. This temple is being built by Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust. The Uttarakhand government has nothing to do with this. We respect the faith of Kedarnath Dham and its devotees. The devotees of Baba Kedar are building his temple in Delhi, so there is no use in creating controversy. There are many temples of Mata Vaishno Devi and Bankebihari across the country, but this does not affect the faith. They can go wherever they want. With the construction of Kedarnath temple in Delhi, devotees will also visit Kedarnath Dham and this temple will not become Kedarnath Dham.
Kedar Temple
- Shri Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust is constructing this temple in Burari.
- A donation of Rs 15 crore has been made for this temple which is being constructed on three acres.
- This temple will be built on the lines of Kedarnath Dham.
- This temple will be ready in about 3 years.
What is the difference between a temple and a shrine?
The deities are consecrated in the temple while the deities reside in the temple. Kedarnath is the abode of Lord Shiva which is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This is not the first time that a temple is being constructed as a Dham. Earlier in 2015, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhani inaugurated the Badrinath temple in Mumbai. This temple is located in Mumbai, the cost is Rs. It was built at a cost of 11 crores. A temple is also being built on the lines of Badrinath Dham in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The construction of Kedarnath temple is going on in Saifai. It is being constructed by SP President Akhilesh Yadav. On January 20, 2024, Akhilesh shared a video on X and informed about it.
Why protest?
70 percent of Uttarakhand's population is dependent on the Char Dham Yatra. There is a fear that the construction of the temple in Delhi will reduce the number of pilgrims to Kedarnath.