Bageshwar Dham leader advises women against visiting site alone

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the head of Bageshwar Dham, has issued a cautionary appeal to women and young girls visiting the religious site, advising them not to travel alone. Shastri warned that while the management can secure the immediate temple and Darbar areas, it is not possible to provide security across the entire five-kilometer expanse of the Dham.

He specifically cautioned female visitors against placing blind trust in strangers or even the Dham’s own volunteers (sevadars). Shastri noted that the site lacks specialized large-scale arrangements for overnight stays, recommending that devotees avoid long stays and remain vigilant to prevent incidents that could be used to defame Sanatan Dharma.

Following these remarks, Sadhvi Harshnanand raised questions regarding the implications of such warnings for religious institutions. She noted that if ashrams advise women not to trust volunteers or travel alone, it may cause families to hesitate when sending women to religious sites. The situation has sparked a broader debate regarding the responsibility of religious management in ensuring the safety of devotees.