Himachal temples receive Rs 419 cror in donations over three years
Shimla, August 21
Thirty-six government-controlled Hindu temples and shrine trusts in Himachal Pradesh received donations amounting to nearly Rs 419.88 crore during the past three years up to August 1, 2026, the state government informed the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday.
According to the details placed on the Assembly table, the highest donations were received by the Shri Baba Balak Nath Temple at Deotsidh in Hamirpur, which collected Rs 99.19 crore during the period. It was followed by Shri Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur with Rs 86.94 crore and Mata Chintpurni Temple in Una with Rs 85.72 crore.
Other major temples also recorded substantial offerings. Shri Jwala Mukhi Temple received Rs 36.57 crore, Shri Bhimakali Temple group in Shimla Rs 25.69 crore, Mahamaya Bala Sundari Temple in Trilokpur, Sirmaur, Rs 28.99 crore and Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Temple in Kangra Rs 11.68 crore.
The government stated that temple donations are utilised under the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984. The expenditure includes development of pilgrimage centres, basic facilities for devotees, salaries, drinking water, electricity, security, development works, beautification and maintenance of temples, sanitation, toilets, parking, street lighting, langar services, educational institutions, gaushalas, religious ceremonies and fairs, besides allocation of the priests’ share.
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The government further clarified that 15 per cent of temple income can be utilised for construction, maintenance and development of gausadans and promotion of cow conservation. However, there is no provision under the existing law for using temple income as relief for losses caused by disasters.
In response to whether the government proposed to amend the rules to permit such expenditure, Agnihotri said there was currently no such proposal under consideration.
The figures furnished by state show that temple donations have remained a major source of revenue for shrine trusts, with several prominent temples individually receiving crores of rupees every year. The government has, however, made it clear that utilisation of these funds remains governed by the statutory provisions of the 1984 Act.
Information shared in a document did not show any light on the collection of Bagalamukhi shrine in Kangra.
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