Kedarnath Trust Head denies 230 kg gold claim

NEW DELHI: The president of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Ajendra Ajay has accused the Congress of disseminating false claims about the amount of gold used in the Kedarnath Temple.

He clarified that only 23 kg of gold was used, along with a 1,000 kg copper plate, and promised to provide the jeweller’s tax invoice to substantiate this. The temple management has faced criticism following allegations of a gold scam at the Shiva temple. On July 15, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth, claimed that 228 kg of gold was missing, alleging a gold scam.

Ajendra Ajay contended that there was indeed only 23 kg of gold in the sanctum sanctorum and a 1,000 kg copper plate, but accused some Congress leaders of spreading misinformation. He claimed these allegations were part of a politically motivated conspiracy aimed at influencing the upcoming Kedarnath by-elections. Ajay dismissed the accusations as baseless and intended to create sensationalism.

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“As the Assembly by-elections are to be held in Kedarnath, the Congress people are spreading such propaganda without any facts and evidence. Such unfortunate and condemnable allegations are being made by the Congress and its supporters only to create a sensation,” he added.

In response to the allegations of a ₹1.25 billion scam related to the gold plating of the Kedarnath temple’s sanctum sanctorum, the Uttarakhand government has set up an investigation panel. Last month, the state’s tourism, religion, and culture minister, Satpal Maharaj, instructed Harichandra Semwal, the secretary of culture and religious affairs, to form a high-level inquiry committee. This committee, led by the Garhwal commissioner, will include technical experts and goldsmiths to conduct a thorough investigation.

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Kedarnath is one of the four sacred Hindu shrines of the Char Dham, along with Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is located in Uttarakhand, approximately 86 kilometres from the district headquarters in Rudraprayag.