Chardham pilgrimage priests in Uttarakhand have opposed Kedarnath Temple Replica named Kedareshwar in Saifai Uttar Pradesh.
Priests Mahapanchayat has also asked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav not to support replication of Kedarnath Temple name and Shivling inside Kedareshwar sanctum sanctorum in Saifai, considered to be his political bastion.
Uttarakhand Char Dham priests’ Mahapanchayat has opposed the construction of Kedareshwar Temple in Saifai which is slated to replicate the architecture and installation of Shivaling inside sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand.
The Mahapanchayat explicitly stated that any replication of the architecture, names, or the formation of any trust using the names of the Char Dhams located in Uttarakhand will be strongly opposed. The Mahapanchayat warned of legal action if the individuals and organisations responsible for construction of Kedareshwar Temple do not heed to their demand to change the name of the temple.
It’s significant that Kedareshwar Temple constructed at Safai Uttar Pradesh has followed the same architecture as that of Chardham Kedarnath temple spending crores of rupees. Mahapanchayat office bearers have also objected to the installation of Kedarnath replica shivaling inside Kedareshwar temple sanctum sanctorum.
“Several conspiracies were hatched to replicate Kedarnath Temple in the past but all failed. How can the Kedarnath Shrine structure be copied and renamed by anyone? It houses self-evolved Shivling that cannot be replicated anywhere in the world. Neither can the temple name be copied. It’s a sin if any person or organisation tries to do that. It will not be tolerated.
If need be, priests will protest and take all legal recourse to prevent replication of Kedarnath Temple “, said Vinod Shukla, vice president of Chardham Priests Mahapanchayat.
It’s not the first incident of Kedarnath Temple name and structure being replicated in other parts of the country.
A plan to construct Kedardham temple in Burari, Delhi, by a local trust of Uttarakhand natives had to face huge opposition last year. Following protests from the priests, the trust had to abandon the plan. In another incident Mahapanchayat also protested against a proposed foundation laying ceremony for a Kedarnath temple in Telangana.
In July 18, 2024 Uttarakhand Cabinet had also passed a resolution stating that action will be taken against unauthorised use of the names of the Char Dhams shrines from Uttarakhand. However, this order could not be enforced for technical compulsions.
The Chardham Priests Mahapanchayat also demanded from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav not to support replication of the Shivling and its nomenclature at Safai, considered to be his stronghold. It stated Samajwadi Party chief that the latter must respect the religious sentiments of crores of sanatan devotees.
Mahapanchayat has urged Akhilesh Yadav to respect the sentiments of crores of Hindus and construct a temple with architecture different from the Kedarnath temple.
The Mahapanchayat further clarified that it has no objection to the construction of the temple for it’s the right of all sanatanis. However, the Char Dhams located in Uttarakhand are centers of faith for crores of Hindus and hold their own unique significance and glory.