The establishment of a new Kedarnath temple in Delhi has sparked significant debate and protests. Priests at the Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand have voiced strong objection against the Delhi project. Thereby, fearing it would diminish the religious sanctity of the original shrine. Additionally, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, emphasized that saying there cannot be a symbolic Kedarnath, opposing the construction in the national capital.
PAST ALLEGATIONS RESURFACE:
The dispute is further intensified by the past allegation of a ₹125 crore gold scam. The scandal involved layering work of Kedarnath temple, claiming that the laying was of brass instead of gold. Even though the committee still denies the allegation. This historical controversy has resurfaced amid the current debate, adding another layer of complexity and suspicion to the discussions surrounding the new temple project in Delhi.
In a recent developoment it is noted that, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath while referring to prior alligations stated that gold amounting to 228 kgs is missing from the kedarnath shrine. However, no enquiries have been initiated in this case
POLITICAL TENSION ARISE: DELHI
Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami participated in a bhoomi pujan ceremony held in Delhi’s Hiranki neighbourhood laying the foundation stone for a new Kedarnath temple. However, Rautela noted that similar temples named after famous Dhams have been established in various cities without controversy. For instance, there is a Kedarnath Temple in Indore and a Badrinath Temple in Mumbai. These examples are cited to suggest that the current uproar over the Delhi temple is politically motivated rather than rooted in genuine religious or cultural concerns.
Meanwhile, despite the objections, proponents argue that the aim is to provide a place of worship for devotees in the national capital. The initiative is for people, who may not be able to travel to the Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand.
