The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has announced a new priority darshan facility for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims visiting the sacred shrines of Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple. The initiative aims to make the pilgrimage safer, smoother, and more comfortable for vulnerable devotees undertaking the spiritual journey.
The decision was taken under the guidance of committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, who instructed officials to ensure better arrangements for senior citizens and differently-abled visitors. The temple committee stated that special systems have been created to improve accessibility and reduce waiting difficulties at both shrines.
According to the new standard operating procedure, four special darshan slots will be available daily at each temple. Every slot will last for 15 minutes and accommodate up to 50 pilgrims. In total, nearly 200 elderly and differently-abled devotees will receive priority darshan access every day at both Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The dedicated darshan timings have been scheduled from 8:00 AM to 8:15 AM, 10:00 AM to 10:15 AM, 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM, and 5:15 PM to 5:30 PM. During these periods, only eligible pilgrims will be allowed entry into the temples to ensure smooth movement and reduced crowd pressure.
Temple authorities said that elderly pilgrims above 70 years of age and differently-abled persons must present valid identification documents such as Aadhaar cards at the designated counters. Officials will verify age and disability details before granting access to the priority darshan facility.
The initiative reflects efforts by the temple committee and Uttarakhand authorities to improve pilgrimage management and inclusivity at important religious sites. The new arrangements are expected to provide greater comfort, dignity, and spiritual convenience for senior citizens and differently-abled devotees visiting the Himalayan shrines.