A cultural festival took place in Badrinath Dham, which drew public attention after videos of singer Priyanka Mehar's performances went viral on social media. These videos raised questions about the appropriateness of holding such events in such a sacred and tranquil spiritual place as Badrinath Dham.
Social media users are voicing objections to the use of loud music and DJs during shows in Badrinath Dham. The circulating videos show Priyanka performing on stage, dancing, as well as spectators dancing against the backdrop of the mountains during her concert. These recordings elicit various reactions, some of which were posted by Priyanka herself through her Instagram account.
The public is expressing concern about preserving the sanctity of Badrinath Dham and questioning the suitability of such an event in a place associated with pilgrimage. The festival, titled 'Our Heritage, Our Future,' was held on September 19 and 20 in the tourist area of Badrinath adjacent to the temple.
The festival was originally dedicated to celebrating local culture and included folk music, dances, and crafts. However, the video of Priyanka Mehar's performance, which took place on the first day, brought attention to ongoing discussions about holding such events in pilgrimage sites. The show was characterized as being more loud and club-style rather than just a folk music concert.
On social media, users expressed dissatisfaction, comparing the situation to the fact that even a gong does not ring in Badrinath Dham. One user on the social network X, sharing a video of Priyanka Mehar's performance under the handle @himalayanhindu, wrote that it is forbidden to even ring a gong in Badrinath Dham due to the special sanctity of the place. He questioned why loud club music is now playing there. This same user noted that club-style music has its time and place, and a sacred pilgrimage site is not such a space.
However, the same user added in the comments a positive assessment of the artist, noting that there are no complaints against the performer herself, as she is a good singer, and the problem lies exclusively with the venue of the music show. Other users who saw the videos published by Priyanka also expressed disagreement with holding loud DJ and music shows in Badrinath Dham. One commentator stated that this place is meant for meditation, and DJs should not play there. Many people continue to share videos of this event across various social networks, expressing their disapproval.