By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 29 May: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has announced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for darshan at the world-renowned Kedarnath shrine, introducing a Rs 1100 charge for ‘Sugam Darshan’ or convenient darshan. The committee has claimed that the move is aimed at streamlining the pilgrimage amidst rising crowds, unpredictable weather and long queues. However, the decision has sparked widespread debate among devotees and stakeholders.
Under the new arrangement, every pilgrim, whether minister or common devotee, will now be required to obtain a slip for darshan. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sohan Singh Rangad explained that the system has been designed to make the pilgrimage more organised, safe and time-bound. He said that the facility will particularly benefit elderly people, women and those with health concerns, as it will reduce the need to wait for hours in serpentine queues.
The decision has also brought traditional practices under scrutiny, as even the panda-purohit community and their yajmans will now have to follow the same process of obtaining slips. The observers believe this marks a significant shift towards stricter regulation of temple management, curbing the influence of recommendations and VIP culture by replacing them with a uniform, fee-based system.
Reactions to the new SOP are however sharply divided. While some devotees have welcomed it as a step towards better management and safer pilgrimage, others have criticised it as an additional financial burden imposed in the name of faith. The debate has quickly spread to social media, where opinions are polarised between those supporting improved organisation and those questioning the monetisation of darshan.
The Kedarnath Yatra is currently at its peak, with heavy rains, icy winds and swelling crowds testing the limits of existing arrangements. In this backdrop, the temple committee’s new system is expected to significantly alter the way pilgrimage is conducted in the coming days.
