By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Chamoli, 15 Jun: Leading industrialist and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani visited Badrinath Dham on Somvati Amavasya today and offered prayers at the shrine of Lord Badri Vishal. Later, he also visited Kedarnath temple to offer prayers there. Ambani reached the Badrinath temple this morning where the office bearers and the officials of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) welcomed him with traditional rituals. He performed puja and prayed for the prosperity and happiness of the nation.
Chairman of the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC), Hemant Dwivedi shared that, on this occasion, Ambani donated Rs 10 crore to the temple committee, presenting two different cheques of Rs 5 crore, each, for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham respectively.
It may be recalled that another leading industrialist of the country, Gautam Adani, had also recently visited Badrinath and Kedarnath along with his wife and he too had made significant donations.
Ambani, who is known for his deep faith in the Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath, undertakes this spiritual journey every year and extends generous financial support to the temple committee. His contributions are considered important from both religious and social perspectives.
According to BKTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sohan Singh Rana, Ambani arrived in Badrinath at around 9:15 a.m. accompanied by family members and close associates. He offered special prayers before proceeding to Kedarnath Dham where he prayed for the welfare of the people. BKTC Media Incharge Dr Harish Gaur stated that Ambani first reached Badrinath Dham for darshan and puja, and that Ambani later visited Kedarnath Dham where he performed rituals at the shrine of Baba Kedarnath.
Ambani’s devotion to the Char Dham shrines is witnessed through his annual pilgrimages to Badrinath and Kedarnath marking his spiritual commitment. This year too, he began his pilgrimage with darshan at Badrinath and then also visited Kedarnath. His meeting with temple officials and his donation indicate this continued faith and support for the management of these sacred sites.
The Char Dham Yatra has witnessed a massive influx of devotees this season. Till 13 June, Kedarnath had received 12,23,074 pilgrims, Badrinath 10,92,367, Gangotri 5,95,166 and Yamunotri 5,56,227, underscoring the scale of faith and devotion among the people.
