One of India's holiest Hindu temples, the Gangotri temple in Uttarakhand, has introduced new entry rules requiring all visitors to consume panchgavya, a mixture of cow-derived products including cow urine, before entering. The temple committee stated that the measure is intended to keep out non-believers and those without faith in Sanatan Dharam, the traditional form of Hindu belief.
Dharmendra Semwal, chair of the temple committee, told The Independent that true believers would have no problem consuming the concoction, while those entering in disguise would be denied entry. The 'holy water' will be supplied by temple personnel at the gates.
The new rules were announced as the Char Dham Yatra, a major annual Hindu pilgrimage, began on Sunday. The pilgrimage draws millions of devotees to four temples in the Himalayas, including Gangotri. Semwal noted that pilgrims had already started arriving and none had objected to drinking the mixture.
While cow urine is used in Hindu purification rituals, mandating its consumption may offend some Hindus and has drawn criticism for excluding non-Hindus. The issue is politically divisive in India, with groups aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party promoting cow urine for its claimed medicinal properties, despite warnings from health experts.
It remains unclear how the temple committees will enforce the new rules as the pilgrimage peaks, with millions visiting the region. Last year, Kedarnath alone saw 1.77 million visitors, and the four temples together received 5.1 million visitors in less than seven months in 2025.
