Glacier Baba's Illegal Temple Near Sacred Devi Kund in Uttarakhand Demolished

Dehradun: Uttarakhand authorities have demolished an illegal structure erected by a self-styled godman, Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash, on the Sunderdhunga Glacier near the sacred Devi Kund pond. The operation, involving police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and forest personnel, took two days to complete and concluded on Saturday.

The structure was located at an altitude of over 14,500 feet within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where unauthorized construction is strictly prohibited. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) clarified that the structure was not a temple, as some media outlets reported, but rather a simple one-room building.

Baba Yogi Chaitanya Akash had reportedly built the structure after convincing local villagers that he had received divine instructions in a dream. An official noted, “The baba has dubious antecedents. He was driven out of several places, including Dwarahat, before he came to this area.” At the time of demolition, no one was found inside the structure.

Concerns over the “baba’s” activities grew when he began using the Devi Kund as a swimming pool, frequently bathing in it. Locals expressed their disapproval, viewing it as an act of desecration, particularly since they immerse idols of deities in the revered pond during the Nanda Raja Jaat Yatra, held every 12 years. Residents reported the matter to the district administration in July.

However, the demolition was delayed for over two months due to the challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. “An attempt was made to reach the spot in July as well, but the team returned without accessing it due to adverse weather conditions,” said the SDM. He added that the terrain's vulnerability to natural disasters during the peak monsoon season made it risky to proceed.

Action was taken as the illegal structure posed a threat to the eco-sensitive zone, emphasizing the authorities' commitment to preserving the region's integrity.