Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani visited the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand as part of a spiritual journey ahead of Diwali. The visit took place on Sunday, and Ambani was warmly welcomed by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). During his visit, the billionaire donated ₹5 crore to the two holy temples, according to a report by CNBC-TV18.
Dressed modestly in a white kurta-pyjama and a beige jacket, Mukesh Ambani offered prayers at the shrines while being closely guarded by heavy security. He even posed for photographs in front of the temples, with a large crowd gathering to catch a glimpse of him.
Both Badrinath and Kedarnath hold great religious importance for Hindus, as they are key stops on the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage. Nestled in the stunning Himalayan region, these temples are visited by millions of devotees each year.
Ambani Family’s Strong Spiritual Connection
Mukesh Ambani has a long-standing tradition of visiting these shrines. In 2022, he visited Badrinath and Kedarnath with his family, including Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. During that visit, the family also donated ₹5 crore to the temples.
The Ambani family is known for making significant donations to religious places. In a previous instance, they gifted a 20-kg gold crown worth ₹15 crore to Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja idol for Ganesh Chaturthi. Mukesh Ambani is also a regular visitor to temples across India. In 2023, he visited Kerala’s Guruvayur temple and donated ₹1.51 crore to its ‘annadanam’ fund. He also made a contribution of ₹1.5 crore to the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh during an earlier visit.
Religious Significance of Kedarnath and Badrinath
Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the shrine was constructed by the Pandavas to seek Lord Shiva’s favor. Badrinath, another revered temple, is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu in his Badrinath form and bathing in the Alaknanda River can purify one’s soul.