Kedarnath Temple: 550 gold layers cover the walls and ceiling

Kedarnath: The sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Dham temple has been adorned with gold. The walls and ceiling are covered in 550 gold layers as part of the new look.

Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee President Ajendra Ajay said the work of golden decoration of the sanctum sanctorum was completed today morning after three days, reported ANI. A six-member team from IIT Roorkee, Central Building Research Roorkee, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inspected the temple.

The work of putting gold lining on the temple walls began after experts gave it a green signal. The material was transported to the location using 18 horse mules. 19 artisans were working on the decoration under the supervision of two ASI officers.

The Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) and Uttarakhand government's decision to cover the walls and ceiling with gold came after an anonymous Mumbai-based businessman donated 230 kg of gold to the temple. The man said it was his long-time wish to see the walls of Kedarnath temple covered in gold. It was previously covered in silver.

Some local priests opposed the decision claiming gold is a symbol of wealth and worldly pleasure. A temple symbolises detachment from the physical world and decorating with gold goes against its ancient values. The temple was decorated with 230 kg silver in 2017. The redecoration with gold cost over Rs 100 crore.

Santosh Trivedi, the vice-president of Char Dham Tirth Purohit Samaj, had stated adding gold to the temple of Lord Shiva is like plastic surgery. "For centuries, our lord has been in the form of stones and 'praan pratishtha' has been done there. Kedarnath is a place of salvation and symbolises detachment. Lord Shiva left everything to come to the Himalayas. Even when the doors of the temple are closed every year. We only used ashes and it does not need gold or anything materialistic."