Kedarnath Temple Head Refuses Congress Gold Scam Claims

Ajendra Ajay, president of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee, has denied Congress claims that 230 kg of gold was used in the Kedarnath Temple. He stated that only 23 kg of gold and a 1,000 kg copper plate were used, and promised to provide the jeweller’s tax invoice to prove this.

The temple management is facing scrutiny after accusations of a gold scam surfaced. On July 15, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, claimed that 228 kg of gold was missing from Kedarnath, suggesting a possible scam.

Ajay criticized the Congress for spreading false information, saying, “We have consistently stated that there was only 23 kg of gold used in the sanctum sanctorum and a 1,000 kg copper plate was installed. Congress leaders are spreading these rumors as part of a political strategy, especially with the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Kedarnath.”

The Uttarakhand government responded to the scam allegations by forming a panel last month to investigate the ₹1.25 billion related to the gold plating at the Kedarnath temple.

Kedarnath, a major Hindu pilgrimage site, is one of the Char Dham shrines, alongside Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.