Shrine Fest Row: Badrinath Music Event Sparks Backlash

A recent cultural festival at the Badrinath temple has sparked a major row after videos of loud music and dancing surfaced online. The two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival took place on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza. It was held under the Army's Operation Sadbhavana, with help from local officials and the state tourism department. The event aimed to display local food, crafts, and folk traditions from border villages. However, clips showing a performance by singer Priyanka Meher drew sharp criticism from religious figures, priests, and politicians. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi posted online that allowing a concert or DJ event at the holy site goes against its spiritual rules. He noted that even conch shells are traditionally not blown at Badrinath, and he asked both central and state leaders to ban such programs. Activist Anoop Nautiyal also spoke out, warning against turning holy pilgrimage spots into stages for crowd entertainment. The Char Dham Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat joined the protests, stating that all activities near the shrine must respect local religious customs. In response, the local district administration clarified that the Army planned and picked all the cultural acts, while officials only helped set up stalls. The administration stated they had earlier told Army heads to respect the spiritual and religious importance of the area. They also asked the public to check facts rather than judging the event based only on social media clips.