Ayodhya seers, VHP to chart Ram Temple roadmap amid donation row, focus on Ramanandi traditions

Around 250 seers from Ayodhya's mutts, temples and akharas, along with Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionaries, will meet here on Thursday to deliberate on the future course of the Ram Temple, with discussions expected to centre on preserving traditional religious practices and rebuilding devotees' confidence following the alleged donation theft case.

The meeting, scheduled to begin at 3 pm at Maniram Das Chhawani, the residence of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, comes a day after the Trust deferred key decisions on appointing its first chief executive officer (CEO) and filling three vacant trustee posts.

Also Read: Ram Temple Trust tightens donation oversight, reviews SBI role after alleged counting irregularities


Speaking to PTI Videos, Kamal Nayan Das, the designated successor of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, said the central theme of Thursday's deliberations would be "Rashtra aur Sanatan" (Nation and Sanatan Dharma).

"Representatives of mutts and temples from across Ayodhya will participate in the meeting," he said.

One of the principal agenda items is expected to be ensuring that all rituals, festivals and methods of worship at the Ram Temple are conducted strictly in accordance with the Vaishnav-Ramanandi tradition.

Jai Ram Das, associated with the organisers, said participants would discuss creating a mechanism through the Trust to ensure that every religious ceremony at the temple adheres to the Ramanandi tradition while also spreading awareness of its significance across the country.

The Ramanandi tradition, a Vaishnav sect that worships Lord Ram as the Supreme Being and traces its lineage to saint Ramananda, forms the religious foundation of the Ram Temple. Daily rituals, aarti, bhog and other ceremonies at the shrine have traditionally been performed according to Ramanandi customs and scriptures.

Temple management sources said objections had been raised by some seers over the adoption of practices associated with the Ramanujacharya tradition, followed largely in southern India. According to the sources, these deviations emerged due to the growing influence of "non north-Indians and non-locals" within the temple administration.

Also Read: Ram Temple CEO selection delayed after 5,200 apply

The meeting will also deliberate on ways to restore public confidence in the Trust following the alleged donation theft case.

Jai Ram Das said discussions would focus on those who, "under the pretext of the donation theft case, tried to defame the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust", adding that participants would consider "socially boycotting such elements."

The gathering will also felicitate the five Ayodhya-based saints who were inducted into the Trust's reconstituted Religious Committee on Wednesday.

Participants are also expected to discuss safeguards to prevent any recurrence of alleged irregularities involving devotees' offerings, with the aim of protecting both the Trust's credibility and the sanctity of Sanatan traditions.

Jai Ram Das said VHP office-bearers associated with religious and literary activities would attend the meeting, while there was no confirmation on whether Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries would be present.

On Wednesday, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust reconstituted its Religious Committee, appointing five Ayodhya-based saints — Mahant Dinendra Das, Mahant Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, Mahant Janmejay Sharan, Mahant Gyan Das and Mahant Vishnu Das — to oversee temple rituals, festivals and religious ceremonies in line with the Vaishnav-Ramanandi tradition.

However, the Trust postponed decisions on appointing a permanent general secretary, filling three vacant trustee positions and selecting the temple's first CEO, saying those issues would be taken up after further consultations.

Thursday's meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations that surfaced in June. Following a preliminary Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry, an FIR was registered on June 25 and eight people were arrested.

Police have since recovered cash, gold, silver, foreign currency and a donation box labelled "Ramrajya Kosh" during the investigation. The controversy also led to the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.