Dehradun: Non-Hindus, regardless of their background, will be allowed darshan at Badrinath and Kedarnath only if they submit an affidavit "affirming their faith in Sanatan Dharma", Badri Kedar Temple Committee chief Hemant Dwivedi said on Tuesday, even as BKTC announced a ban on entry of non-Hindus at the two shrines and 45 other temples under its jurisdiction in Garhwal.

Asked about Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan, who often visits Kedarnath, he said, "If she says that she has belief in Sanatan and submits an affidavit, we will allow her for darshan." He added that affidavits would be made available at the temples.

"Sanatan Dharma is vast, and its followers are present across the world. If any person, irrespective of background, expresses faith in Sanatan Dharma and submits an affidavit to that effect, darshan can be allowed at Badrinath and Kedarnath. All those who have faith in Sanatan Dharma are Sanatanis," Dwivedi said.

BKTC is the administrative body for Badrinath, Kedarnath and 45 other important temples in Uttarakhand and is responsible for their management and governance. Dwivedi told TOI that the guidelines were laid down by Adi Shankaracharya and had been followed since then.

"Tourism and religious tourism are the backbone of the state's economy. Unfortunately, some people are unable to distinguish between the two and are considering religious tourism the same as tourism. We need to take steps to ensure that norms and traditions are followed during pilgrimage, and this initiative is a small step in this regard," he added.

BKTC has also announced a ban on photos and videos inside temple premises. "Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the temple premises. Arrangements are being made to keep the mobile phones outside the temple. Photos and videos are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum and within the temple premises," Dwivedi said.

This year's Char Dham yatra is scheduled to commence from April 19 with the opening of the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham. Online registration began on March 6, and till Tuesday, over 6 lakh pilgrims had registered. The highest registration of 2 lakh was for Kedarnath, followed by 1.8 lakh for Badrinath, 1.6 lakh for Gangotri and 1.1 lakh for Yamunotri.

Actor Urvashi Rautela’s recent claim of having a temple in Uttarakhand named after her has triggered backlash from priests and locals.

According to India Today, in an interview with media personality Siddharth Kannan, the actor claimed that the Urvashi temple, located in Bamni, close to the sacred town of Badrinath, was dedicated to her. She added that many devotees, who had nicknamed her ‘Damdamamai’, visited the temple to pay respects and garland pictures of her. “I am being serious about it. It is true. There are news articles about the same too. You can read them,” she said.

However, this statement incited anger among priests and the town’s locals. Several people even called on the government to take action against the actor for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

Local priest Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal, a former religious officer of Badrinath Dham, told India Today that he found Urvashi’s claims “misleading” and criticized her for claiming ownership over the religious site.

“It is not her temple. Such statements are unacceptable, and the government should take strict steps against anyone making such claims,” he told the media outlet.

Amit Sati, President of the Brahma Kapal Teerth Purohit Society, also criticized Urvashi’s remarks, stating that the temple was ancient and could not belong to any individual.