Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Govt Tightens Security at 36 Temples, Introduces New SOPs to Protect Devotees’ Offerings
In a major step to safeguard devotees’ offerings and improve transparency in temple administration, the Himachal Pradesh Government has reissued comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the management of donations received at all 36 government-managed temples across the state.
In a major step to safeguard devotees’ offerings and improve transparency in temple administration, the Himachal Pradesh Government has reissued comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the management of donations received at all 36 government-managed temples across the state.
The revised guidelines are aimed at strengthening the security and accountability of cash, jewellery, gold, silver and other valuables offered by devotees. The Department of Language, Art and Culture has directed temple authorities to immediately upgrade systems related to collection, counting, storage and banking of offerings.
Under the new SOPs, every temple will be required to install tamper-proof donation boxes, maintain transparent financial records, strengthen CCTV surveillance, secure strong rooms and conduct systematic inventories of valuable donations. Authorities have also been instructed to ensure proper documentation and timely banking of all collections.
To ensure effective implementation, all temple management committees have been directed to submit a detailed compliance report within 30 days. The report must include information on existing security arrangements, CCTV coverage, audit status, inventory records, banking systems, identified shortcomings and corrective measures taken.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also oversees the Language, Art and Culture Department, said Executive Officers of all government-managed temples have been instructed to immediately review and strengthen security mechanisms. He emphasised that employee verification, secure handling of cash and valuables, proper record maintenance and transparent banking procedures would now be mandatory.
The government’s decision follows recent reports of alleged misappropriation of devotees’ offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Citing these incidents, the Department stressed the importance of strengthening internal controls and enhancing security measures across Himachal’s temples to maintain public trust.
Himachal Pradesh is home to several renowned temples that receive massive donations throughout the year. Prominent shrines including Chintpurni Temple in Una, Baba Balak Nath Temple at Deotsidh, Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur, and Jwalamukhi and Brajeshwari Temple in Kangra attract lakhs of pilgrims, especially during Navratri and other major religious festivals. These temples receive offerings worth crores of rupees, along with significant quantities of gold and silver every year.
These religious institutions are managed under the Himachal Pradesh Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984, which was enacted to improve temple administration, enhance pilgrim facilities and oversee the development of temple complexes.
According to official data, devotees contributed assets worth ₹200.49 crore to the state’s 36 government-managed temples during 2024. These temples collectively hold fixed deposits worth ₹346.26 crore, approximately 600 kilograms of gold and nearly 250 quintals of silver. Officials said a substantial portion of these funds is utilised for improving pilgrim amenities, maintaining temple infrastructure and meeting staff-related expenses.
The latest SOPs are expected to further strengthen public confidence by ensuring that every donation made by devotees is managed with greater security, transparency and accountability.
