Loud and inappropriate noise The Uttarakhand government forbids filming reels and videos at Char Dham

The Char Dham shrines are 50 meters or less from the Uttarakhand government’s ban on filming reels and videos.
This is a long overdue decision because the video producers engage in behavior that might be deemed improper for a place of sanctity in addition to obstructing pilgrims’ paths and causing delays in line.

Chief Secretary Radha Raturi of the state stated, “Some people record videos, create reels, sing, play music, and do other things that hurt other people’s religious feelings. Having a cell phone and making calls with it is not forbidden. However, it is forbidden to play loud music, create reels, or cause any other disturbance on the temple grounds.

When a 60-quintal “Om” figure was erected at Kedarnath Dham in 2023, there were protests. Since then, it has become a location for selfies. Many people think that the attention on these things ruins the quiet reflection and devotional feelings associated with visits to sacred sites.

In a review meeting, the state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, also urged all VIPs to postpone their yatra beyond May 21 due to the influx of pilgrims.

Furthermore, letters warning against unregistered yatris attending the yatra due to chaos have been sent to all states. Only online registration is available, and the government has asked that those who have registered arrive in Dham by the deadline. Before the yatra, health examinations are required, and people with co-morbidities, like heart conditions, are asked to disclose this information.

The increasing practice of creating reels—at times in awkward positions, using loud voices, etc.—has raised concerns at other houses of worship as well. For example, there have been numerous incidents of locals in Ayodhya beating up people who are bathing in the Sarayu, at the ghats, and creating reels to songs that are offensive. “There should be respect for the religious and spiritual sanctity of holy places,” stated Mahant Raju Das.There are plenty of other places to visit if your only goal in visiting is to view the pictures, videos, and social media posts. There are about thirteen locations for selfie sticks in Ayodhya, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was notably pictured at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk snapping a picture of himself using a phone on a selfie stick.

On May 10, the Char Dham yatra was declared open. Over 3.3 lakh people had visited the shrines as of Thursday.