New Puja rates announced for Kedarnath and Badrinath temples: ₹45,000 for Mahabhog, ₹1 lakh for Bhagwat katha

Dehradun (The Uttam Hindu): Ahead of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, a significant change has been announced for pilgrims. The Badrinath-Kedar Temple Committee has approved an increase in the fees for special pujas and aartis at Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines . This decision was made unanimously at the committee's board meeting. However, general darshan at both shrines will remain free for ordinary pilgrims as before.

According to the committee, devotees must book in advance and pay a prescribed fee to participate in daily special rituals such as the Mahabhishek, Abhishekam, Bhog, Akhand Jyoti, and various Aartis. The new rates will be effective from the upcoming Chardham Yatra. The committee states that this increase is intended to provide better facilities to pilgrims and strengthen arrangements.

New rates in Badrinath Dham

Several major religious rituals are held at Badrinath Dham. According to the new rates, the fee for the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha has been increased from ₹51,000 to ₹100,000. The fee for the Veda-Gita recitation has now been increased to ₹3,100, up from ₹2,500 previously. Similarly, the fee for the camphor aarti has been increased to ₹3,000, and for the silver aarti to ₹5,100. The Mahabhishek (Mahabhishek) has been fixed at ₹5,500 and the Abhisheka (Brahmin Abhishek) at ₹5,300. The Akhand Jyoti (annual) fee will be ₹6,000, and the Swarna Aarti will cost ₹6,100. Furthermore, the fees for services such as Kheer Bhog, Bal Bhog, and Mahabhog have also been increased.

Fees have also been increased at Kedarnath Dham

The fees for various pujas at Kedarnath Dham have also been revised. The fee for Laghu Rudrabhishek has been increased from Rs 6,100 to Rs 7,100. Mahabhishek will now cost Rs 11,500 and Rudrabhishek will cost Rs 7,500.

The fee for the special day-long puja has seen the biggest increase, from Rs 28,600 to Rs 51,000. The fees for Akhand Jyoti, Kapoor Aarti, and other daily pujas have also been increased. The fee for Shiva Sahasranaam has now been fixed at Rs 2,500.

No impact on general viewing

The committee clarified that there have been no changes to the darshan system for general devotees and it will continue to be free as before. Only those participating in special pujas and aartis will have to pay the new fee.

Important decisions before the trip

Millions of devotees participate in the Char Dham Yatra every year. This decision, taken just before the start of the pilgrimage, is considered significant. While the increased rates will impact the pockets of devotees attending special pujas, the committee believes that the increased rates will improve the facilities and arrangements at the temples.