Badrinath expansion vital to ensure proper management in future
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat presided over a meeting of the Char Dham Devsthanam Management Board at his residence on Tuesday. In addition to discussing various issues related to the functioning of the board, approval was also granted to various draft rules prepared by the board which would be made available to the state administration. This also includes the manual regarding the deciding and protection of traditional rights of priests, Nyasi, Teerth Purohits and other traditional right holders.
Regarding the expansion and beautification of the Badrinath temple compound and nearby sites, it was decided that considering the yearly rise in number of pilgrims arriving here the expansion and beautification is necessary to ensure proper facilities, traffic management and accommodation for the pilgrims. It was decided that the Devsthanam Board will do the needful and prepare the proposal soon to submit to the state administration. The board will also be able to arrange technical and subject experts for this task at its level. An agreement was also reached on the renovation of the Tungnath temple and Sabha Mandap for which a devotee from USA, Pankaj Kumar has expressed his wish to provide the fund. Approval was also granted for construction of Ishaneshwar temple in Kedarnath to fund which a donor from Mumbai, Manoj Solanki has expressed interest. Agreement was also reached on repairing the Kedarnath Rawal’s room, renovation of Ukhimath temple in the future, digitalisation of old manuscripts and bringing the Kartik Swami temple under the purview of the board.
The CM who is the chairman of the board directed that details of priests, Pandas, Purohits and musicians in Badrinath and Kedarnath be prepared so that financial assistance can be provided to them also when required.
The board’s CEO, Ravinath Raman informed that till October 25, about 1.72 lakh people had undertaken the Char Dham Yatra. The board has made two lakh registrations. Further, Rs 7.55 crore had been collected in Badrinath and Rs 75 lakh in Kedarnath.
Cabinet minister and the board’s vice chairman Satpal Maharaj, MLAs Mahendra Bhatt, Gopal Rawat, secretaries Dilip Jawalkar, Sowjanya and others were present in the meeting.
Wednesday, 28 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
