Controversy erupts over new Kedarnath Temple in Delhi: All about it

Replicating a hallowed Jyotirlinga, according to Kedarnath's priests and seers, is against religious customs. They contend that established customs are violated because the ancient shrines have a special position in Hindu culture.

The tranquil realm of religious sanctity surrounding the Kedarnath Temple, nestled in the Himalayan heights of Uttarakhand has been disrupted by a contentious initiative unfolding in the heart of Delhi.

A replica of this revered shrine is under construction in Hiranki, Burari, on a sprawling three-acre plot of land. Spearheaded by the Shri Kedarnath Dham Trust, Burari, this project aims to offer devotees an alternative place of worship during the six months when the original temple remains inaccessible due to harsh weather conditions.

According to the Trust, the replica is meticulously designed to mirror the original Kedarnath Temple in architecture and materials, costing approximately Rs 12 crore. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami graced the groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring the event's religious significance and local support.

However, this seemingly benevolent effort has sparked vehement opposition from the very guardians of the original Kedarnath shrine. Seers, priests, and concerned citizens from Uttarakhand have staged protests, arguing that replicating a sacred Jyotirlinga shrine defies established religious traditions.

Swami Darshan Bharti of Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan decried the project as sacrilegious, alleging a conspiracy to undermine the sanctity of Kedarnath.

"Misusing the name of Baba Kedar is a sin. I appeal to all sanatanis to wake up and foil this conspiracy," Bharti emphasized, reflecting the sentiment of many protestors.

The controversy intensifies as the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and various religious leaders accuse the Delhi-based Trust of appropriating the revered name and sacred identity of Kedarnath for commercial and political motives. Ajendra Ajay, BKTC's chairperson, clarified that the state government of Uttarakhand has no involvement in the Delhi project, dismissing allegations of official support.

Furthermore, concerns over financial transparency and accountability have surfaced, with allegations of previous mismanagement in the original Kedarnath temple complex adding fuel to the controversy. Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, raised questions about a supposed gold scam in Kedarnath, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation before undertaking new ventures in the temple's name.

#WATCH | Mumbai: On Kedarnath Temple to be built in Delhi, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Swami Avimukteshwaranand alleges, "There is a gold scam in Kedarnath, why is that issue not raised? After doing a scam there, now Kedarnath will be built in Delhi? And then there will be… pic.twitter.com/x69du8QJN2

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Responding to the criticisms, Jitendra Sulara, administrative head of the Trust overseeing the Delhi project, defended the initiative, arguing that replicas of revered temples exist across India without compromising their sanctity. He stressed that the Delhi temple would not house a Jyotirlinga, thus differentiating it from the original Kedarnath Temple, as reported by the Times of India. 

"It is not against Sanatan Dharma to build a temple. But it cannot be compared with the original in Kedarnath because we don’t have a Jyotirlinga. This is just another Shiva temple," Sulara explained, attempting to assuage concerns about religious authenticity.

Despite these assurances, the dissenting voices from Uttarakhand remain adamant, asserting that the unique spiritual aura of Kedarnath cannot be replicated or transplanted elsewhere. They insist that the construction of such replicas dilutes the sanctity of ancient shrines and undermines their cultural and religious significance.

As the debate continues to unfold, it underscores broader questions about religious stewardship, cultural preservation, and the intersection of commercial interests with sacred traditions. For now, the fate of the Kedarnath Temple replica in Delhi hangs in balance, awaiting resolutions that can reconcile the reverence for tradition with the dynamics of contemporary religious practices.

(With inputs from agencies)