Starting this year, visitors to the Chardham Yatra may need to pay a fee for VIP darshan, as announced by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). To ensure that arrangements are made properly, the BKTC has nominated four research teams to assess the arrangements of other prestigious temples in the country and report back to the committee. These teams will begin their work on February 13th. This new system is being implemented to improve the overall experience for visitors to the Chardham Yatra, and the research teams will help to ensure that everything is organized and running smoothly.
After the research teams nominated by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) submit their report, standard operating procedures (SOP) for darshan will be established for the first time in the four Dhams after consultation with the government. This move comes in response to questions and concerns that have arisen around VIP darshan during the Chardham Yatra in the state, particularly in the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. Currently, devotees who arrive via helicopter service are given priority for darshan, alongside VVIPs. The SOPs will help to bring clarity and transparency to the darshan process, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the pilgrimage.
The current system of prioritizing VIPs and devotees who arrive via helicopter service for darshan at the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples has caused frustration and displeasure among common devotees. This has resulted in criticism of both the temple committee and the district administration. Despite these issues, the temple committee has not generated any additional income from this system. To address these concerns, the system is being reformed this year to ensure a fair and equal opportunity for all devotees to have darshan. This change is being implemented with the aim of improving the overall pilgrimage experience for everyone.
To improve the arrangements and overall experience of the Chardham Yatra, the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has organized the formation of four teams. These teams consist of temple committee members who will be visiting prestigious temples across the country, including the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, and the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. In addition, each team will also have a research scholar from Doon University to assist in their research. The goal of these visits is to study the arrangements and operations of these temples and to report back to the BKTC with recommendations on how to improve the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage. By leveraging the expertise of scholars and committee members, the BKTC hopes to create a more efficient and effective system for visitors.
According to the Chairman of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), Ajendra Ajay, all four research teams will depart on February 13th to begin their assessment of the prestigious temples in India. Upon their return, the teams will provide a report to the BKTC with their findings and recommendations. Based on these recommendations, the BKTC will decide on a fee for VIP darshan for the Chardham Yatra. This move is being made to improve the overall experience for visitors to the pilgrimage and to ensure that the system is transparent and fair for all devotees.
The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has recently passed a resolution to implement a dress code for its employees who handle the arrangements at the temples during the Chardham Yatra. In the past, employees were only provided with a jacket, but this year they will be expected to dress in full attire. The aim of this move is to enhance the professional appearance of the employees and create a more formal and respectful environment at the temples. By dressing in a more formal manner, the employees will be better equipped to assist and serve the visitors during the pilgrimage.
Last year, following a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage saw a significant increase in the number of devotees in attendance. However, due to reports of chaos and complaints about the VIP darshans, the government intervened and banned VIP darshans altogether. The Chief Minister of the state, Pushkar Singh Dhami, issued the order himself in response to the complaints. This move was made to ensure that all devotees had equal and fair access to the temples during the pilgrimage, and to prevent any further disruption or chaos.
