Current Context : Recently, the President of India directed the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary to address a citizen petitionchallenging the Forest Department’s entry fee for devotees visiting Churdhar Temple.

About Churdhar Temple

• Location & Elevation: Highest peak (11,965 ft) in Sirmaur district; tallest in the Outer Himalayas.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and local god Shirgul Maharaj, revered as the kuldevta by tribal communities of Sirmaur, Shimla, Solan (HP) and Jaunsar-Bawar (UK).
• Access & Sanctuary: Situated within Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, enveloped by deodar forests; pilgrimage (“Churdhar Yatra”) draws thousands annually from HP, Uttarakhand, and beyond.
• Issue: Nominal fee introduced for “maintenance and conservation,” opposed by petitioners as a barrier to worship.