Non-Sanatani Entry to Yamunotri Dham to Be Prohibited; New Rule to Take Effect During April Char Dham Yatra

Dehradun: Following in the footsteps of Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri, the Yamunotri Dham will now restrict entry for non-Sanatani visitors. The decision was taken by the Yamunotri Temple Committee, which confirmed that the rule will be enforced starting with the April Char Dham pilgrimage.

Committee officials stated that the restriction is intended to protect and preserve Sanatan Dharma. The committee secretary clarified that followers of Sanatan-related religions such as Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism are considered aligned with Hindu practices and are therefore exempt from the restriction. However, all other non-Sanatani visitors will be denied access to the Dham and its surrounding areas once the rule is implemented.

The restriction aligns with similar measures recently announced for Badrinath and Kedarnath, where temple authorities, local priests, sadhus, and community stakeholders had reached consensus on limiting entry to non-Hindus. A formal approval of the proposal is expected in the upcoming temple committee board meeting, after which it will come into effect at these Dhams.

Once enforced, the regulation will mark a significant step in ensuring that the Char Dham pilgrimage adheres strictly to Sanatani customs, impacting devotees traveling to Yamunotri for the upcoming pilgrimage season.