Cultural fest near Badrinath shrine faces backlash over ‘Bhajan jamming’, violation of norms

Held on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza adjoining the Badrinath temple, at an altitude of over 10,200 feet, the festival was organised around the theme “Our Heritage, Our Future.” Credit: X/@suryacommand A two-day cultural festival held in the high-altitude town of Badrinath has sparked controversy after videos of a loud, concert-style “Bhajan Jamming” session circulated on social media, drawing criticism from religious leaders, local stakeholders, and the Opposition Congress.The Chamoli district administration and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department attributed the organisation of the event to the Indian Army, even as Jyotirmath Shankaracharya criticised the use of loud DJ music and what he described as vulgar and indecent performances near the abode of Lord Vishnu, part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.Held on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza adjoining the Badrinath temple, at an altitude of over 10,200 feet, the festival was organised around the theme “Our Heritage, Our Future.”“It was held as part of the Indian Army’s community-outreach initiative, Operation Sadbhavana, with participation from the Chamoli district administration and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also attended,” an official aware of the matter said.Videos of the session, centred on a performance by singer Priyanka Meher, showed pulsing lights, amplified music, and an energetic crowd. The visuals were circulated widely on X, with some social media users likening the atmosphere to a nightclub rather than a cultural programme.Widespread criticismSwami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, said sages and ascetics had established strict norms of peace and restraint around the Badrinath shrine.“Even blowing a conch is prohibited in the area so that the meditation of Lord Vishnu is not disturbed. The present administration is disturbing the religious atmosphere of the sacred space by allowing loud DJ and vulgar performances,” he said, demanding that such events be prohibited at the shrine.Brijesh Sati, general secretary of the Uttarakhand Teerth Purohits Samiti, said the Army had organised a similar event at Badrinath in April, before the temple portals opened, which the priest community had also opposed. “As per the mythology, no human movement is allowed in the town before the portals of the shrine are opened... We cannot put the entire onus on the Army as the permission is granted by the government,” he said.Uttarakhand-based activist Anoop Nautiyal said activities that conflict with local tradition should be discussed with stakeholders in advance, calling the event “an unprecedented... condemnable violation of religious tradition.”Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni questioned the use of commercial entertainment at the pilgrimage site: “The government must clarify where it draws the line between tourism promotion and commercialisation.”Authorities’ responseThe Chamoli district administration said it had only permitted a stall as part of the fair and was not informed about the DJ performance. “The District Administration has written a letter to the Indian Army seeking a response on whether they had obtained any permission to organise such a concert at the shrine,” a senior official said.Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said the event was organised by the Indian Army, which should be asked for a response. Attempts by The Hindu to reach the Army for comment went unanswered. Published - September 23, 2026 07:36 pm IST