Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat Angry Over Construction of Shri Kedarnath Temple in burari Delhi

In Delhi’s Burari area, a grand temple resembling the Kedarnath Temple is under construction, allowing devotees to visit and offer prayers to Baba Kedarnath year-round. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has laid the foundation stone for this temple. However, this move has sparked significant controversy. The Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat, representing the priests of Uttarakhand’s four dhams, has expressed strong disapproval and threatened to launch a movement to stop this initiative.

Opposition from Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat on Shri Kedarnath Temple

The Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat has voiced its opposition to the construction of the Shri Kedarnath Temple in Delhi, arguing that establishing temples under the name of Kedarnath Dham diminishes the prestige of Uttarakhand’s globally renowned religious sites. The Mahapanchayat has warned that if such actions are not halted, they will be compelled to initiate a movement against those responsible.

Congress’s Stance on Shri Kedarnath Temple

The Congress party has also criticized Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP legislators for the symbolic foundation laying of the Kedarnath Temple in Delhi. Congress spokespersons Garima Mehra Dasoani and Shishpal Bisht have labeled this act as an affront to the sanctity of Uttarakhand and Sanatan Dharma. They argue that creating symbolic jyotirlingas undermines Hindu faith and Vedic traditions. According to the Shiva Purana, Kedarnath holds a special place among the 12 jyotirlingas, and creating a symbolic jyotirlinga is concerning and detrimental to Sanatan Dharma.

Congress has questioned why the BJP government is interpreting Sanatan Dharma arbitrarily and whether they sought permission from the four Shankaracharyas. They have urged the government to reconsider its decision, warning that failure to do so could have repercussions for the BJP in Uttarakhand.

Shri Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust’s Clarification

On Thursday, the Shri Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust clarified that the temple they are constructing in Delhi is not directly related to the Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand, one of the 12 jyotirlingas. In a statement to the media, the trust explained that their project is similar to other famous temples in Delhi, like Khatu Shyam Ji, Mata Vaishno Devi, and Badrinath. They emphasized that since the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand remains closed for six months each year, making it impossible for many to visit, the Delhi temple will provide an opportunity for devotees to offer prayers throughout the year.

Cultural Significance and Future Plans

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted that Burari is mentioned in ancient texts dating back to the Mahabharata era. He believes that the establishment of the Kedarnath temple on this sacred land will become a modern symbol of Uttarakhand’s culture and eternal faith. Surendra Rautela, the founder of the Shri Kedarnath Dham Delhi Trust, stated that Kedarnath Dham is a center of faith for millions of people. With this in mind, they aim to build a grand temple dedicated to Baba Kedarnath in Delhi. The temple will be constructed with materials intended to last for the next 100 years, and the three-acre site will feature statues representing Uttarakhand’s Char Dhams.

The debate surrounding the construction of the Shri Kedarnath Temple in Delhi continues, reflecting the broader tensions between tradition and modern religious practices.