The Teerth Purohits of Badrinath and Brahma Kapal have strongly objected to a statement made by the Dharmadhikari of Badrinath temple on a national television channel predicting the destruction of this hallowed shrine. The Dharmadhikari, Bhuwan Uniyal, reportedly said on a television channel that the Tapt Kund (natural hot water pool) at Badrinath contains sulphur and as sulphur indicates to the presence of a volcano, this volcano would burst in the future and destroy Badrinath.
Strongly criticising the statement made by the Dharmadhikari, the Teerth Purohits of Badrinath and Brahma Kapal have called it a "foolish" statement. The point out that Uniyal has not mentioned any scientific basis on which he had based his statement. Author and journalist Mahesh Sati said that action should be taken according to service rules against the Dharmadhikari for the controversial statement he had made. "The Dharmadhikari had distorted the meaning of the contents of the Arthashastra written by Chanakya and made a questionable statement," said Sati.
On the other hand, the chief executive officer of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, BD Singh said that the Tapt Kund near Badrinath temple is situated on the upper portion of Markandeya Shila (boulder). "Markandeya means that which has no end so there is no question about the existence of the Badrinath temple coming to an end," said Singh, adding that the Dharmadhikari and other employees of the BKTC have been warned and directed to refrain from making any statements regarding the Badrinath temple to newspapers and television channels. Disciplinary action will be taken against any official or employee found violating this direction, stressed the BKTC CEO. lakhs of devotees from India and abroad visit the Badrinath temple every year though this year the number of pilgrims has been comparatively less due to last year's disaster and other factors.
This shrine is considered to be one of the most sacred centres of pilgrimage in the Himalayas situated at an altitude of 10,248 feet above seal level. It is here that lord Mahavishnu is believed to have undertaken penance with goddess Mahalakshmi assuming the form of a Badari (jujube) tree to shelter him from adverse weather — hence, the name Badri Narayan.