Following the June 2013 disaster, Kedarnath became the main focus of major re-construction and development works in Uttarakhand costing thousands of crores of rupees, eliciting global media coverage also for the work being undertaken at the snow-covered temple area in the winter for the first time.
Various works have been executed and many are planned at Kedarnath, the Samadhi Sthal of Adi Shankaracharya- who is believed to have built the present Kedarnath temple- is still covered by 2013 flood debris with its renovation not even been included in the Kedarnath reconstruction project.
This came to light when a delegation comprising disciple representatives of the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Peet and Dwarika Peeth, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati met Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul at the Raj Bhawan in Dehradun on Friday.
The delegation led by the Shankaracharya’s disciple Swami Avimukteshwarananda submitted the Shankaracharya’s memorandum to the Governor. In the memorandum, the Shankaracharya has requested that restoration work be undertaken at the Samadhi Sthal of Adi Shaankaracharya.
The representative delegation informed the Governor that the Samadhi Sthal of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath is covered by the flood debris of 2013 disaster. The restoration of the Samadhi Sthal has not even been included in the Kedarnath reconstruction works, they said.
Responding to the concerns raised in the memorandum, the governor assured the representative delegation that this case would be examined and necessary action will be directed. It is pertinent to mention that both the Union Government and State Government have been focusing considerable efforts and funds towards reconstruction and development works at the disaster-affected Kedarnath since the June 2013 disaster. However, the memorandum submitted to the Governor has raised questions regarding the Government approach in Kedarnath reconstruction works.