Unauthorized Temple by Self-Styled Godman Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash on Uttarakhand Glacier Sparks Controversy

A self-styled godman, Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash, has built an unauthorized shrine at 16,500 feet on government land at the Sunderdhunga glacier in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, according to The Times of India.

Divine Instructions and Local Backlash:
The ‘baba’ claimed to have received divine instructions from a goddess in a dream to construct the temple, despite the region being ecologically sensitive. Mahendra Singh Dhami, a local villager, stated, “The baba convinced the villagers to support the project, saying Devi Bhagwati appeared in his dreams and directed him to build the temple at Devi Kund.” Dhami also alleged that the shrine, once a sacred spot for villagers, has been desecrated and turned into a “swimming pool” for the godman.

Prakash Kumar, another resident, called the construction blasphemous, noting that for centuries, deities visited the Kund during the Nanda Raj Yatra every 12 years. Kumar accused the godman of misleading villagers and establishing the temple against their traditions.

Official Investigation:
The local administration only began investigating after the temple was already built. Kapkot sub-divisional magistrate Anurag Arya said, “I became aware of this issue only recently.” Arya also mentioned that officers from the revenue, forest, and police departments would soon remove the encroachment and take action against the godman.

Revenue department official Sanjay Singh indicated that a joint team of police, revenue, and forest department officials would undertake a 35km trek to inspect the alleged encroachment. Depending on the weather, it would take them 2-3 days to reach Devi Kund.

Historic Significance:
The Danpur Sewa Samiti, in their complaint to the Bageshwar district magistrate, emphasized that Devi Kund is not just a place of faith but also an eco-sensitive zone. The Aadi Badri Maa Bhagwati temple in Badiyakot has historical ties to Devi Kund. During the Nanda Ashtami festival, priests trek barefoot to the sacred lake, perform pooja, and then conduct rituals at Badiyakot temple. The Samiti accused Yogi Chaitanya Akash of mocking people’s faith by building the unauthorized temple and sharing pictures of himself taking a dip on social media platforms.

Concerns Raised:
This incident raises concerns about how easily encroachments in sensitive areas can be carried out without the knowledge of officials and at the cost of local traditions and ecological balance. The villagers and local administration are now working to address the situation and restore the sanctity of the sacred site.