The Bhadraj Temple in Dehradun took action against visitors leaving footwear inside its premises. Viral footage on social media captured temple staff discarding shoes and slippers off the hillside to enforce rules.
Situated atop a hill, Bhadraj Temple is a scenic marble shrine dedicated to Lord Bal Bhadra, about 12 km from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, accessible via a short trek. While devotees visit for prayers, it also draws tourists seeking panoramic views of the Doon Valley.
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An Instagram post by Sooraj Dogra showed a temple worker systematically removing and tossing footwear over a guardrail into the abyss below, aiming to deter visitors from disregarding temple rules.
“This is what happens when outsiders visit our sacred place and ignore instructions about footwear,” Dogra captioned, urging respect for local customs and nature’s sanctity.
Responses on the video were largely supportive, praising the temple’s stance on distinguishing between pilgrimage and leisure spots. Some criticized the method, citing environmental concerns over discarded footwear.
Critics questioned the environmental impact of throwing shoes into nature, suggesting alternative approaches to address visitor compliance.
Concerns were also raised about the practicality for visitors stranded without footwear atop a hill, highlighting logistical challenges in a remote location.