Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Temple Funds High Court has issued a strict ban on using temple donations for government welfare schemes or public projects.
Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla clearly stated that temples must use every rupee only for dharmic purposes and religious work, not as state revenue.
Only for Dharma, Not for Politics
The order came while hearing a petition that sought strict compliance with the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984. The judges ruled that the government and authorities must not divert temple funds for schemes or activities unrelated to religion. Devotees’ money, they said, belongs to the faith and must stay for temples, rituals, and Hindu welfare.
Transparency Made Mandatory
The court also stressed on open accounting. Every temple must now:
- Display monthly income and spending publicly.
- Put audit reports and project details on notice boards or websites.
- Show devotees exactly how their donations are being used.
This step, the judges said, will build trust among people and stop misuse.
Accountability for Misuse
The court didn’t stop at transparency. The court warned trustees that it will personally recover any misused funds from them. Hold them fully responsible for every wrongly spent rupee.
Big Message for Devotees
The ruling sends a clear signal: Himachal Temple Funds money is sacred, not a government piggy bank. From now on, every donation must go back into religion, rituals, and dharmic charity—exactly where the devotees intended it to go.
