More than 90 percent decline in Ram temple offerings, daily collection reduced from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 1 lakh

Ayodhya. The Ram Mandir offering theft controversy has had a deep impact on the faith of the devotees. This is the reason why earlier donations ranging from Rs 8 to 12 lakh came out of the donation boxes every day. It has now come down to below Rs 1 lakh. However, the number of devotees has not decreased. Devotees are saying that money has not been stolen, faith has been stolen.

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Let us tell you that earlier Rs 8 lakh to 12 lakh were deposited in the donation box of the temple every day. According to temple staff, the amount of donation has dropped to less than Rs 1 lakh per day since the controversy broke. However, temple officials say that there has been no decrease in the number of devotees visiting the temple.

Many devotees say that these allegations have shaken their faith in the donation system and they are now preferring online donations instead of cash donations. Following the SIT investigation, the Trust has increased surveillance and strengthened the process of counting donations and depositing them in banks.

Devotees visiting the temple say their faith in Lord Ram is still strong, but the allegations have raised concerns about the management of donations. Devotees will continue to come to Ram temple from all over the world, but many people are saddened by the alleged theft incident. He believes donating online is a safer option.

A devotee who came to Ayodhya with his family from Delhi says that this controversy has sent a wrong message. He says devotees should continue to donate, but the money should also be used to provide facilities like drinking water and help the poor around the temple.

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This concern is not limited to devotees only. Mahant Mahesh Yogi of Hanumangarhi says that these allegations have hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees and questions are being raised on donations and proper use of valuables. He has demanded a fair investigation and strict action against the culprits. Another devotee from Delhi says faith remains unaffected and those responsible will eventually have to face the consequences of their deeds.

Know how the method of donating has changed over time?

2020-2024: Average donation amount per day reached Rs 2.43 crore. Following the formation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on February 5, 2020, a massive donation campaign began. According to the trust data, the donation amount till February 2021 had exceeded Rs 1,511 crore. By the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024, the donation amount received from all sources including online contributions, donation boxes and Har Ghar Samarpan Abhiyan had reached approximately Rs 3,500 crore.

This means an average turnover of around Rs 875 crore annually, Rs 72.9 crore monthly and around Rs 2.43 crore per day.

In the trust meeting held on August 22, 2024, officials said that devotees had also donated 13 quintals of silver and 20 kg of gold. Even after the construction expenses, there was about Rs 2,600 crore left in the trust’s accounts.

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2024-2025: Daily offerings reduced to around Rs 36 lakh

After the consecration ceremony, a huge increase was seen in the number of devotees in the temple. In the first 11 days itself, an amount of more than Rs 11 crore was collected in the donation boxes, while the total donation in the first month exceeded Rs 25 crore.

However, the pace slowed down over time.

The temple received Rs 153 crore as donations between January 2024 and March 2025. This was approximately Rs 10.9 crore per month or Rs 36.4 lakh per day. During the same period, the trust earned Rs 173 crore as interest on its deposits.

2025-2026: Contribution of Rs 16.6 lakh will be received daily from donation boxes.

The accounts presented at the trust meeting on March 21, 2026, revealed that the temple received Rs 82 crore as donations between April 2025 and February 2026.

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The average income was Rs 7.45 crore per month and about Rs 24 lakh per day.

Of the total amount, Rs 54.79 crore was received through donation boxes, Rs 18.88 crore through counters, Rs 8.33 crore online and Rs 78 lakh from devotees living abroad. Contributions worth about Rs 16.6 lakh were received daily from donation boxes alone.

The trust also earned Rs 138 crore as interest from deposits in SBI, PNB and Bank of Baroda, taking the total income during the period to Rs 221 crore. Sources claim that many people who were later accused in the donation theft case were recruited during this phase.

June 15-19, 2026: Daily collections dip below Rs 1 lakh

Temple staff involved in counting donations say the controversy has had an immediate impact. According to him, donation boxes which used to receive Rs 8-12 lakh on normal days, are now receiving less than Rs 1 lakh per day. According to reports, daily collections between June 15 and June 19 ranged between Rs 85,000 and Rs 95,000.

Officials say that this decline has happened only in donations and it has not affected the number of devotees. The controversy came to light on June 7, when around 1.21 lakh devotees visited the temple. Since then till now almost the same number of devotees have been coming.

Donation counting system made more strict

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Sources say that after the controversy the Trust has increased vigilance. The counting of offerings is going on under the supervision of Trust member Anil Mishra in the basement of the Passenger Facilitation Center located about 200 meters away from the temple complex. Subhash Srivastava, a retired banker from Ayodhya, handles the accounts. The temple has 35 donation boxes, which are now opened twice a day.

During this process, four representatives of the trust and banks are present. The counting of votes is done in two phases. From 8 am to 2 pm and from 2 pm to 8 pm. About 20 people work in each shift, including permanent bank employees and outsourced employees. Sources claim that some outsourced employees were appointed on the recommendation of trust members. It is being told that SIT has interrogated many people.

The controversy has also revived memories of earlier allegations related to the Ram Temple fund, including claims of purchasing land at exorbitant prices and questions over the use of donations.