Punjabi tourists celebrate by bursting crackers in Kedarnath Temple premises, viral video sparks massive outrage
PTC News Desk: Kedarnath is known for its serenity and peace however a viral video has sparked widespread outrage after the serene environment was disrupted by the sounds of firecrackers.
The footage, which has been making rounds on X, shows a group of men celebrating a friend’s birthday. One man can be heard saying, “Aaj mere dost ka bday hai toh hum celebration kar rahe hain Kedarnath mein" (It’s my friend’s birthday today, so we are celebrating in Kedarnath), while fireworks light up the distance.
In response to the viral video, Kedarnath Police have registered a case against those involved at Kotwali Sonprayag under Section 353(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing the act of bursting firecrackers and making the video public.
केदारनाथ धाम: मंदिर की मर्यादा भंग करने पर पुलिस की बड़ी कार्यवाही ????
अपराध: धाम परिसर में पटाखे जलाकर जन्मदिन मनाने और वीडियो वायरल करने का मामला।
पुलिस एक्शन: कोतवाली सोनप्रयाग में संबंधित व्यक्ति के विरुद्ध मुकदमा (BNS की धारा 353(3)) पंजीकृत। pic.twitter.com/XxQuk2SOiJ — Rudraprayag Police Uttarakhand (@RudraprayagPol) April 27, 2026
Kedarnath Temple is situated in a high-altitude and environmentally sensitive Himalayan region and is one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites. Activities like bursting firecrackers are considered inappropriate here and can harm the environment by causing noise pollution, disturbing wildlife, and increasing the risk of fire. That’s why even small celebrations can trigger strong reactions in such a fragile area.
The situation becomes more serious during the Char Dham Yatra, which brings huge crowds and puts heavy pressure on local infrastructure and administration. Managing crowds, waste, and safety is already difficult, and such incidents point to possible lapses in enforcement.
On X (formerly Twitter), people have reacted strongly. Many users are demanding strict action, including jail for those responsible, while others are criticising the growing “vlog culture” that treats religious places as content for social media.
- With inputs from agencies
