The Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand has found itself at the center of a major controversy after the Shankaracharya of Jyotimath, Sawami Avimukteshwaranand, alleged that 228 kg of gold is missing from the temple’s coffers.
Swami Avimukteswaeanand made the sensational claim during a press conference, stating that a “gold scam” has been carried out at the revered Kedarnath Dham and that no inquiry has been initiated into the matter. He further suggested that the plans to construct a replica of the Kedarnath Temple in Delhi could be an attempt to cover up the alleged scam.
“As much as 228 kg gold is missing from Kedarnath. No inquiry has been initiated. A gold scam has been carried out in Kedarnath, but the issue is not being raised. Now, they are saying that they will build Kedarnath in Delhi. This is to effect another scam,” Swami Avimukeshwaranand alleged.
Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Refutes Allegations
However, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has strongly refuted the Shankaracharya’s claims, with its chairman Ajendra Ajay terming the allegations as “very unfortunate”.
Ajay challenged Swami Avimukeshwaranand to present evidence to support his claim and urged him to approach the competent authorities or the courts if he has proof of the missing gold.
“The statement made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand regarding the disappearance of gold in Kedarnath Dham is very unfortunate, and I would like to request him, and also challenge him, to bring it the facts,” Ajay said
He further suggested if the Shankaracharya does not trust the authorities, he should approach the Supreme Court or High Court and file a petition seeking an inquiry.
Ajay also accused Swami Avimukteshwaranand of making such claims to further a “political agenda” and said that he does not have the right to “harm the dignity of Kedarnath Dham”.
Conflicting Figures of Missing Gold
Interestingly, the Shankaracharya’s claim of 228 kg of missing gold from Kedarnath Temple seems to be at odds with the figures mentioned earlier. According to the reports, the initial claim was that 320 kg of gold was missing, which later decreased to 228kg, 36 kg, and even 27 kg simultaneously.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand acknowledged the discrepancy in the figures but insisted that the problem remains the same – the god has gone missing, and no proper investigation has been conducted.
Allegations of a Larger Conspiracy
The Shankaracharya’s claims have also raised suspicion of a larger conspiracy, with him suggesting that the plan to build a Kedarntha Temple in Delhi could be an attempt to cover up the alleged scam.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand argued that the construction of a replica temple in the national capital could lead to another scam, implying that the authorities might be trying to divert attention from the missing gold in Kedarnath.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The controversy has sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the matter and greater transparency in the management of the Kedarnath Temple’s assets.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand has demanded that the authorities responsible for the temple’s affairs be held accountable for the alleged missing gold.
“Demands for investigation have been raised with the Commissioner, but he didn’t investigate the case properly. What are the reasons behind the missing gold from the temple? This is a huge scam, “the Shankaracharya said.
Potential Impact on Pilgrimages and Donations
The allegations of a gold scam at the Kedarnath Tempe could have far-reaching consequences, both for the temple’s operations and the broader pilgrimage industry in the region.
If the claims of missing gold are proven true, it could erode public trust in the temple’s management and lead to a decline in donations and pilgrimages, which are crucial for the temple’s upkeep and the local economy.
Moreover, the controversy could also cast a shadow on the plans to construct a Kedarnath Temple in Delhi, as the public may be skeptical about the transparency and accountability of such initiatives.
Conclusion
The allegations of missing gold from the Kedarnath Temple have sparked a heated debate, with the Shankaracharya and the temple authorities trading accusations. While the Shankaracharya has demanded a thorough investigation, the temple committee has challenged him to present evidence to support his claims.
The conflicting figures and the potential implications of the controversy have added to the complexity of the issue, underscoring the need for a transparent and impartial inquiry to restore public confidence in the management of the revered Kedarnath Dham.