Uttarakhand bans high-frequency sound events near Badrinath, makes prior permission mandatory

The Chamoli district administration in Uttarakhand has with immediate effect prohibited events near Badrinath Dham and other religious and cultural sites in the district if they compromise their sanctity through the use of high-frequency sound systems.

The decision comes after objections from religious leaders, devotees and civil society members over the nature of a two-day cultural festival held near the Badrinath shrine earlier this month.

District Magistrate Chamoli Gaurav Kumar has also made prior permission from the local administration mandatory for organising any event near religious and cultural sites, including Shri Badrinath Dham.

The concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) will personally examine each proposed event and issue permission. No other department or official will be authorised to grant such permission, Kumar said.

Officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the order. Organisers or committees found violating it will face legal action.

Festival near shrine triggers objections

The restrictions follow the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival 2026, which was held at the newly developed tourist arrival plaza near Badrinath Dham on September 19 and 20.

The festival was organised under Operation Sadbhavana and became controversial after videos of performances involving amplified music and dancing circulated on social media. The event was presented as a platform for Uttarakhand's folk culture, local products, handicrafts, traditional food and the heritage of villages along the border.

The controversy drew objections from religious figures and others who argued that the nature and volume of the performances were inconsistent with the religious character of Badrinath.

Ashutosh Dimri, president of Teerth Shri Badri Dham Dharmic Panchayat, said Badrinath is a major spiritual centre for Hindus across the world. He said future programmes should instead include bhajan sandhyas or traditional religious performances that, in his view, would not affect the sanctity of the Dham.

Former Badrinath Dham Dharmadhikari Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal also said future events in Badrinath should be aligned with the heritage of the religious town and conducted in a manner that maintains its religious sanctity.

Army and administration give their account

The festival was jointly organised by the Chamoli district administration and the Indian Army under Operation Sadbhavana. Its official theme was "Our Heritage, Our Future".

Sunil Purohit, executive officer of Badrinath Nagar Panchayat, said the festival was not a commercial entertainment programme but an official civil-military integration and socio-economic initiative.

He said it was organised at the outer tourist arrival plaza rather than the core temple area to strengthen ties between armed forces personnel deployed at high-altitude forward posts along the Line of Actual Control and residents of remote Himalayan border villages.

The festival included folk dances, folk music, handicrafts, local products and traditional cuisine, with women’s self-help groups, artisans, farmers and young entrepreneurs also participating. An Army exhibition highlighted its role in border security and social development under Operation Sadbhavana.

The Chamoli administration has subsequently clarified that its role was largely limited to facilitating stalls and arrangements, while the Army selected the cultural performances and decided their format. The administration said performances showcasing the folk culture, traditional practices and local customs of border villages, including Bamni and Mana, were also part of the programme.

It said district officials had advised local Army authorities to conduct the event while keeping in mind Badrinath's religious faith, mythological and spiritual significance and local religious traditions.

The administration has also appealed to the public not to form opinions based solely on social media posts without verifying the facts.

The two-day festival concluded on September 20, with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attending the closing programme. Dhami stressed the preservation of the state's folk culture and heritage, while the event also showcased local products, women's self-help groups and traditional cuisine.