Guwahati: The Kamakhya Temple, one of the country’s most prominent Shakti Peethas, has come under public scrunity over the way it manages the crores of rupees it receives from devotees every year. While the temple’s administration says the donations are properly accounted for and used for its functioning, its reliance on traditional accounting practices instead of a modern, transparent financial system has sparked fresh debate
The discussion has gained momentum at a time when the alleged donation irregularities at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have put the spotlight on how religious institutions across India handle public contributions. Though no fresh allegations have been made against the present Kamakhya Temple management, questions are being raised about whether institutions receiving such large donations should make their financial records more accessible.
Temple authorities say donations received through official channels including bank transfers and the rs 501 special darshan fee are deposited directly into the temple’s designated State Bank of India account. Cash collected from donation boxes and offerings made by devotees inside the temple are counted under the supervision of senior temple functionaries before being deposited, while gold, silver and other valuables offered by devotees are stored in the temple’s traditional treasury.
According to the administration, the funds are used for day to day operations, including paying salaries to nearly 500 employees, conducting religious rituals, maintaining the temple premises, purchasing puja materials, meeting security expenses and carrying out infrastructure related work. Officials also maintain that taxes are paid and financial calculations are completed every year.
However, unlike many large public institutions, the temple does not regularly publish detailed audited financial statements or annual reports for public viewing. Although audits are said to be conducted periodically, the accounting system largely continues to follow long established customs rather than a fully digitised or institutional framework.
The temple’s administration is based on a centuries old system, with different hereditary groups responsible for specific duties ranging from financial oversight to safeguarding ornaments and managing rituals. This traditional structure was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2015, recognising the rights of the Bordeuri Samaj and its elected Dolois to administer the shrine.
The temple has faced financial controversy in the past. In an earlier case, the Enforcement Directorate investigated allegations involving the suspected misappropriation of more than ₹7 crore by members associated with a previous administrative board. Those proceedings relate to an earlier period and are separate from the functioning of the current committee.
Observers say the issue is less about proven wrongdoing and more about transparency. They argue that temples receiving crores in public donations could strengthen devotees confidence by adopting modern accounting systems, publishing audited financial reports and making details of income and expenditure available to the public without compromising long standing traditions.
With major temples across the country witnessing a steady rise in offerings every year, the conversation around Kamakhya reflects a larger national debate how to balance centuries old religious customs with growing public expectations of accountability and financial transparency.
ALSO READ: Ram Temple Donation Scam : SIT Finds CCTV Lapses, Ignored Frisking And Crores Stolen
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