The Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, a sacred Hindu shrine, is currently facing worries regarding the safety of its main entrance due to the development of cracks. While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has dismissed any connection to the recent land subsidence incidents in Joshimath, the local community and authorities remain apprehensive, given the temple's proximity to the affected area, only 40 kilometers away.

An ASI official explained that the cracks on the temple's gate are primarily a result of environmental factors, including rainfall. In response to this issue, ASI has replaced the iron clamps that secure the stones on the gate's wall with copper clamps, as stated in a report by The Times of India.

Uttarakhand's Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj, has reassured the public, categorizing these cracks as minor and attributing them to the natural shifting of the earth's surface. The government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the temple's safety.

The 'Singh Dwar,' constructed alongside the temple in the 17th century, holds several idols of deities on both sides of the gate. Experts have identified local geographical factors as the root cause of these cracks. MPS Bisht, the head of the geology department at HNB Garhwal University in Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal), explained that since Joshimath and Badrinath are situated on different geological formations, there is no direct link between the cracks observed in both locations.

The ASI officials have attributed the cracks to factors such as the accumulation of snow and vegetation, which can lead to water seepage inside the structure, ultimately causing these fissures. The last major renovation of the Gaj Dwar took place in the 1990s. During their recent inspection, ASI discovered that several stones within the structure had become dislodged and gaps had widened. As a result, the ASI has initiated essential repairs to address these issues.

The central government has instructed ASI officials to expedite the repair work, and an estimated budget of Rs 5 crore has been sent by ASI for the restoration efforts.

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