Dharamshala | March 2026 - Despite crores of rupees flowing into major temples of Himachal Pradesh every year, the condition of facilities for devotees continues to raise serious concerns. Over three decades after the state government took control of prominent shrines, the promised transformation remains largely unfulfilled.
At present, more than 34 temples in the state are under government management. These include key religious centers such as Mata Chintpurni Temple, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Jwalamukhi Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Baba Balak Nath Temple, and the historic Baijnath Shiva Temple. Temple officers have also been नियुक्त by the government to oversee administration.
Vision vs Reality
The original vision behind government takeover—initiated during the tenure of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh—was to develop these shrines on the lines of the highly successful Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. However, even after 30 years, comparable development has not materialized.
The government had also sought guidance from reputed shrine management systems like Tirupati Balaji Temple and Vaishno Devi, with officials conducting study tours across the country. Yet, ground-level improvements have remained minimal.
Pilgrims Still Struggling
Millions of devotees visiting these temples continue to face hardships due to inadequate infrastructure. Key issues include:
Lack of proper parking facilities
Insufficient medical services
Shortage of clean drinking water
Absence of adequate resting spaces
Additionally, allegations of exploitation by some pujaris and mismanagement in traffic control further add to the difficulties faced by pilgrims.
Committees Formed, Reports Ignored
Over the years, multiple committees have been constituted to suggest reforms, but most recommendations have remained confined to files due to lack of political and administrative will.
In 2007, the Himachal Pradesh High Court appointed a committee headed by former Chief Secretary BC Negi to examine the utilization of temple funds under the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.
The committee recommended:
Capping “baridar” share at 10% for a limited period of 10 years
Stopping misuse of temple funds for purchasing vehicles for officials
Ensuring temple funds are used strictly for pilgrim welfare
Despite these strong recommendations, implementation has largely been absent.
Court’s Observation Still Relevant
The High Court had clearly observed that temple donations belong to the public and must be used transparently and efficiently for improving facilities and ensuring a better pilgrimage experience.
The Road Ahead
As footfall continues to rise every year, the gap between revenue generation and infrastructure development is becoming increasingly visible. Experts believe that unless a professional, autonomous, and accountable temple management system is introduced—on the lines of Vaishno Devi—the situation is unlikely to improve.
The issue once again brings into focus a critical question: Can Himachal’s revered shrines truly match national standards, or will devotees continue to struggle despite contributing crores every year?