- Visitors to the Gangotri temple in India's Himalayan mountains must now consume panchgavya, a ritual concoction including cow urine, as a test of faith before being allowed inside.
- The new entry rule, implemented by the temple committee, is intended to keep out non-Sanatani and non-believers from the sacred site.
- Dharmendra Semwal, the committee's chair, stated that "true believers will have no problem" with the practice, which began as the major annual Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage commenced.
- This directive follows a similar move in March by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, which banned non-Hindus from entering 47 temples under its management.
- The mandatory consumption of cow urine is a politically divisive issue, with groups aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party promoting its use despite health warnings and criticism for 'othering' non-Hindus.
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