Photography and Videography has been banned in Kedarnath: Kedarnath, nestled in the picturesque Himalayan Mountains of Uttarakhand, India, holds great religious significance for Hindus worldwide. The holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva draws thousands of pilgrims each year, seeking solace and spiritual nourishment. However, a recent decision to ban photography and videography in Kedarnath has stirred up significant controversy among visitors and the media alike. Seeing the rising trends of clicking photos and filming videos inside Kedarnath Temple, the Kedarnath Temple Committee, responsible for overseeing the operations and maintenance of the revered shrine, announced a blanket ban on photography and videography within the temple premises.
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Warning Boards have been put up in Kedarnath
This time the committee is quite serious with this matter. They have put a board at various places on the temple which reads “Do not enter the temple premises with mobile phones, any kind of photography and videography is strictly prohibited inside the temple and you are under the surveillance of CCTV cameras.” The committee has also urged to people to dress decently. A commitee member said “Pilgrims to Kedarnath have been urged to dress modestly. In the past, some pilgrims had been caught filming and taking photos indecently inside the temple.”
The authorities cited multiple reasons for banning photography and videography in Kedarnath. Firstly, concerns were raised about the sanctity of the temple and its environs. Some believed that the constant snapping of photographs and recording of videos disrupted the tranquility and meditative atmosphere of the holy site. Additionally, instances of misbehavior and inappropriate poses for photographs by some visitors had upset devotees and locals alike.
Secondly, the temple committee expressed concerns about the potential misrepresentation of religious practices and rituals through photography and videography. They firmly believed that certain aspects of worship should remain private and sacred, shared only through personal experiences rather than captured digitally.
The ban has polarized opinions among tourists who visit Kedarnath. Those supporting the ban argue that it will help maintain the serenity and sanctity of the temple, enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees. They argue that being fully present in the moment, unburdened by the distraction of cameras and smartphones, allows for a more profound connection to the divine.
On the other hand, critics argue that the ban hampers their freedom to capture and share memories of their visit with friends and family. Many visitors, especially the younger generation, consider photography an essential means of preserving their experiences and creating lasting memories.
