Char Dham Yatra: Gangotri Temple Committee Mulls 'Panchgavya' Ritual, Entry Curbs For Non-Hindus

Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 15:00 IST

An expert panel, including a Supreme Court lawyer, is being constituted to examine the legal framework for a possible restriction on non-Hindu entry

Days after the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee proposed restricting entry of non-Hindus in shrine towns, a similar move is now under consideration at Gangotri Dham—the temple of Ganga (river).

The Gangotri Temple Committee is deliberating introducing a ritual of offering ‘Panchgavya’ to the visitors. The ‘Panchgavya’ is a mixture comprising milk, Ganga water, honey, cow urine and cow dung. It will be offered to the visitors as part of measures aimed at ensuring that only “true Hindus" visit the shrine.

“We welcome all Sanatani Hindus who believe in non-violence. The committee is considering offering Panchgavya to visitors. A final decision will be taken soon," said Suresh Semwal, secretary of the Gangotri Temple Committee. He added that Sikhs and Jains are included within the Hindu religious fold in this context.

As per the secretary, an expert panel, including a Supreme Court lawyer, is being constituted to examine the legal framework for a possible restriction on non-Hindu entry.

The Char Dham Yatra covering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri draws pilgrims from across the world during its six-month duration starting April-May. This year, the Gangotri shrine is scheduled to open on April 19 on Akshay Tritiya.

Last year, the Char Dham pilgrimage witnessed nearly five million visitors. The pilgrimage also remains a key economic driver for Uttarakhand’s tourism sector, supporting hotels, transport services, and local livelihoods.

Recently, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee in its board meeting passed a resolution to ban non-Hindus. Few months back, Ganga Sabha, which manages religious affairs in Haridwar, demanded to ban entry of non-Hindus in more than 100 Ganga ghats in twin temple towns Haridwar and Rishikesh.

News cities dehradun Char Dham Yatra: Gangotri Temple Committee Mulls 'Panchgavya' Ritual, Entry Curbs For Non-Hindus

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