Badrinath temple main gate, Singh Dwar, develops cracks
Badrinath temple, known as 'Singh Dwar'. As per an exclusive TOI report, the cracks were initially noticed several weeks ago but were not disclosed to the public.
At first, there were fears that the cracks might be attributed to subsidence, particularly since Badrinath is situated just 40 km from Joshimath, where a significant subsidence incident occurred earlier this year. However, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) dispatched a team to investigate the matter, and their findings indicate that the cracks resulted from «rain and other environmental factors.»
Superintending archaeologist (Dehradun circle), Manoj Saxena, told TOI, «These are small cracks and bulges in the inner wall of 'Singh Dwar.' Our team has initiated repairs by replacing the iron clamps on the wall that hold the stones together with copper clamps.»
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj assured the public, stating, «They are minor cracks caused by shifting of earth… We are keeping an eye on the development.» The 'Singh Dwar' is an integral part of the temple complex, constructed around the 17th century and adorned with idols of various deities on both sides.
Pilgrims who pass through this gate often pause to offer their prayers to the deities before proceeding to the sanctum sanctorum.
MPS Bisht, head of the geology department at HNB Garhwal University in Srinagar, clarified, «Joshimath and Badrinath are located on different geological formations. I don't think that the situation at Badrinath has any connection with that of Joshimath.
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