Laser show kicks up storm for many gaffes

Objections are being raised on many anomalies in the script of the much hyped laser show at Kedarnath. The observers are pointing that the narrator in show went horribly wrong when he mentioned that the portals of the Kedarnath shrine open on the 'Akshaya Tritiya' day. It is common knowledge that there is no fixed date for opening of the portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath as the dates are decided by the astrologers and Teerth Purohits based on Panchang (traditional Hindi calendar) on the occasion of Shivratri. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines open on the Akshay Tritiya day. Another gaffe the script writers of the show have done is in stating that the Lord Shiva appeared in form of an Ox before the Pandavas.

It is believed that the Pandavas went on a long pilgrimage to repent from the taint of the Brahm Hatya (murder of Brahmin) and to have Darshan of Lord Shiva. When Pandavas reached Kedarnath, Shiva gave Darshan to them in form of a ‘He- Buffalo’ and not as ox as narrated in the laser show.

Talking to The Pioneer, the Kedarnath MLA, Manoj Rawat said that the show is not laser show as being claimed but actually is a light and sound show. He said that laser show needs no screen but here the wall of the temple was used as screen which is highly objectionable. Rawat claimed that an astronomically high amount of money is being spent on the show as the heavy machinery for holding the show was air-lifted in MI -17 helicopters.  The Congress MLA claimed that during the trials of the show a short film on status of the shrine after the disaster of 2013 and the efforts of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restoring it was shown. This part was eventually removed after the protest lodged by the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).

He said that time, place and the principle behind the entire objective of the holding the show is questionable. Elaborating further he said that the laser show is being held at the time of opening of portals when the Lord Shiva is in a state of Samadhi. Rawat also questioned the propriety of showing pink coloured Shiva in the show.

When asked to comment on anomalies in script of the laser show ‘Adi Anant Shiva’ at Kedarnath, the Tourism and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the issue would be looked into and the errors if any would be rectified. He however defended holding of the laser show and said that there is nothing objectionable in it.

Maharaj added that the BKTC is headed by a Congress leader that is why it is raising objections regarding the laser show.