New Delhi: If you were planning to rent out the cave where Prime Minister Narendra Modi meditated in Kedarnath, there’s bad news. Not only will you have to undergo a physical fitness test, you’ll also need to wait a while.
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) has not yet started taking bookings online or even manually for the Rudra meditation cave, as the weather is not conducive these days.
The rent for the cave, located approximately one kilometre up the mountain from the Kedarnath shrine, is also proposed to be increased from the current Rs 990 per day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meditates at a holy cave near Kedarnath Shrine in Uttarakhand. pic.twitter.com/KbiDTqtwwE
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2019
“We had kept the rent at Rs 990 when all we offered was a single bed. Now, it has a number of facilities including phone, food and geyser. An increase in rent has been proposed after detailed guidelines are prepared,” said a senior GMVN official.
Asked whether Modi underwent physical fitness tests ahead of his visit to the cave, GMVN general manager B.L. Rana said this was not required because the PM’s medical team always accompanies him.
Plan for the cave
The cave was constructed around April at an approximate cost of Rs 8.5 lakh. It is five metres long and three metres wide.
Apart from basic facilities like water, electricity and a bell for emergencies, breakfast, lunch and dinner are also provided for those residing in the cave. The cave can be booked for a maximum period of three days. Smoking and consuming alcohol is not allowed within the premises.
Rana said the local administration has constructed the modern cave, but its upkeep and functioning is GMVN’s responsibility. The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is responsible for its design and execution.
Also read: After 20 hours at Kedarnath, PM Modi prays for 20 minutes in Badrinath shrine
The cave, Rana said, faces the Kedarnath Temple and Bhairavnath Temple that is located on the opposite hill side.
So far, only one cave is available, but Rana said another is being constructed. Eventually, the plan is to have four more caves apart from the Rudra cave.
“The local administration is building another one. It is a completely natural cave but it has been modified to put in place basic facilities. For instance, a front wall has been built, the outer part of the cave is made up of stones and has a wooden door. But even the stone is from the mountains to give it a natural feel,” he said.
Word of caution for the public
GMVN officials have offered a word of caution for the people who have been calling incessantly to book the cave after it got massive publicity due to PM Modi’s visit.
“It is not a picnic spot or a selfie spot. Those who are really into meditation should think about booking it. The only other property which is near the cave is at least two kilometres away, so in case of an emergency, it will take some time to reach,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.
“For the Prime Minister, we had put up blowers etc. to keep it warm, but for the general public, it will be quite cold.”
The cave, the official said, offers complete isolation, but in case of any emergency, the manager of GMVN can be contacted anytime for an assistance using a phone.