Missing Gold, Silver ‘Ram Shilas’ Add New Twist To Ayodhya Temple Donation Row
Missing Gold, Silver ‘Ram Shilas’ Add New Twist To Ayodhya Temple Donation Row Reported By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 20:04 IST Shri Ram Shilas
Missing Gold, Silver ‘Ram Shilas’ Add New Twist To Ayodhya Temple Donation Row Reported By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 20:04 IST Shri Ram Shilas are symbolic offerings associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and were collected by the VHP during a nationwide campaign between 1987 and 1989. Rapid Read Since the consecration of Ram Lalla in January 2024, the temple has received donations worth hundreds of crores of rupees, along with substantial quantities of gold, silver and other valuable offerings from devotees. (Photo: ANI file) Claims that 1,000 gold, silver and diamond-studded “Shri Ram Shilas" donated to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during the Ram temple movement have gone missing have added a fresh twist to the donation controversy, even as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) intensified its probe by questioning temple employees and examining security protocols, with FIRs likely to be registered soon. The latest allegations, made by former temple accounts in-charge Mahipal Singh, have expanded the scope of a controversy that initially centred on the suspected disappearance of cash donations. What Are Shri Ram Shilas? The Shri Ram Shilas are symbolic offerings associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and were collected by the Vishva Hindu Parishad during a nationwide campaign between 1987 and 1989 ahead of the historic shilanyas (foundation-laying ceremony) in Ayodhya in November 1989. Devotees from more than two lakh villages across India, as well as members of the Indian diaspora abroad, contributed these bricks, many of which bore the inscription “Shri Ram" in different Indian languages. While most were traditional consecrated bricks, some affluent devotees and organisations donated specially crafted gold, silver and gem-studded shilas, turning them into highly valuable religious artefacts.
Among the offerings now reportedly unaccounted for are a gold-plated Shri Ram Shila donated from Mauritius and a diamond-studded shila gifted by a Mumbai businessman, both considered among the most valuable symbolic donations received by the temple. Beyond their monetary worth, the shilas carry immense historical and emotional significance as symbols of public participation in the Ram Temple movement that culminated in the construction of the grand temple in Ayodhya. SIT Expands Investigation The claims have surfaced at a time when a three-member SIT, constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is conducting a detailed inquiry into alleged irregularities involving temple donations. On Tuesday, the panel held extensive questioning sessions with temple employees and officials behind closed doors, examining procedures related to the collection, counting and safeguarding of devotees’ offerings. Sources familiar with the investigation said one of the key areas of focus was whether adequate security measures existed for staff handling donations. Investigators reportedly sought details on whether employees involved in counting cash were frisked before leaving counting centres, who supervised the movement of donations, and whether CCTV surveillance systems were functioning effectively in sensitive locations. The SIT is also examining access-control mechanisms, inventory management procedures and the chain of custody for donations received from devotees. Sources indicated that the inquiry has reached an advanced stage and that as many as two FIRs could be registered in the coming days depending on the findings of the preliminary investigation. Cash Donation Allegations Under Scrutiny The controversy first erupted after allegations surfaced that between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7 crore in temple offerings may have been misappropriated.
The BriefWire