It has been over 900 days since January 22, 2024, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. For millions, it was a moment of civilisational significance, the culmination of a centuries-long wait. The temple, built on a site that had been at the centre of one of India’s most consequential religious and political disputes for decades, quickly became one of the country’s most important pilgrimage centres, attracting an estimated 50 million visitors annually.

But today, 900 days after that historic moment, the temple is in the headlines for a very different reason. The Ram Mandir donation scandal involving allegations that tens of millions of rupees in devote’ offerings have been systematically stolen has triggered a major political controversy, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, and a leadership overhaul at the temple trust.

This is the story of the Ram Mandir donation scandal, 900 days after the temple’s inauguration.

What Was Ayodhya Like Before the Ram Mandir

Before the temple’s construction, Ayodhya functioned as a modest pilgrimage destination with annual footfall of approximately 1.7 lakh visitors, narrow potholed roads, no operational airport, and daily earnings for shopkeepers ranging between ₹400 and ₹500.

According to The Print, citing the January 2026 IIM Lucknow study titled “The Economic Renaissance of Ayodhya: A Case Study on Sri Ram Mandir,” annual footfall before the temple era hovered around 1.7 lakh visitors. The city was a mofussil town with limited economic prospects. The Ram Path, now the city’s main artery, was a single-lane road. Local markets operated on a small scale, and the city had no operational airport.

The Organiser confirms that the Supreme Court verdict in 2019 paving the way for the temple’s construction marked the turning point, after which the Uttar Pradesh government launched the Ayodhya Master Plan 2031, including the international airport, new roads, riverfront beautification, upgraded civic facilities, and large hospitality projects. The Ram Path, Bhakti Path, and Janmabhoomi Path projects were launched to improve mobility. For many residents, Ayodhya was a quiet town. But it was also a place with limited economic prospects. Construction of the Ram Mandir, beginning on August 5, 2020, would change everything.

How Did the Ram Mandir Transform Ayodhya Into a Tourism Hub

The consecration of Ram Lalla in January 2024 triggered one of India’s most dramatic economic transformations, with visitor numbers jumping over 60-fold, trader incomes rising fivefold, 1.2 lakh new jobs created, and annual tourism revenue projected to reach ₹10,000 crore.

Business Today reports that Ayodhya’s tourism economy is projected to generate ₹18,000 crore by 2028, and the city has already received over 22 crore visitors by mid-October 2025. The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, built at a cost of over ₹1,450 crore, now directly connects Ayodhya to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Junction expanded daily passenger handling capacity from 10,000 to over 60,000.

The Researchers cites the IIM Lucknow study finding that average daily earnings of small traders and shopkeepers have multiplied several times since 2020, GST collections in the Ayodhya region climbed to approximately ₹400 crore, over 150 new hotels have been established, and 1.2 lakh new direct and indirect jobs are projected. The state government’s vision is to position Ayodhya as a global spiritual centre by 2047, aligning spiritual tourism with smart city planning, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-friendly construction standards.

What is the Donation Controversy That Has Shaken the Ram Mandir Trust

In June 2026, allegations surfaced that between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in devotees’ donations had been systematically stolen during the donation collection and counting process at the Ram Mandir, leading to a state government SIT, an FIR, eight arrests, and two resignations from senior trust officials.

Outlook India reports that the controversy began on June 7, 2026, when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan Pawan Pandey alleged the siphoning of Rs 5 crore to Rs 7.5 crore from temple donations. The state government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team on June 13 at the trust’s own request. The SIT’s preliminary findings led to registration of an FIR on June 25, and eight employees were arrested on June 26, including donation counting staff and Champat Rai’s driver Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu. Police subsequently seized Rs 79,85,493 from the arrested individuals. Two of the arrested, Anukalp and Lavkush Mishra, are related to trustee Anil Mishra.

The Quint confirms the case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5), as well as Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, indicating charges of theft, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. The investigation revealed systematic cash diversion during the collection and counting process, with the accused reportedly caught on CCTV footage. Out of Rs 582 crore in offerings received up to March 31, 2026, the trust had spent Rs 391 crore on operational expenses. The controversy has rattled devotees across India, with one calling the allegations a fatal blow to their faith.

India.com identifies Mahipal Singh, described in media reports as the temple’s former accounts-in-charge, as the whistleblower who brought the issue to wider attention. Singh alleged that donation theft had been ongoing for some time and that Champat Rai was aware of it. The trust and Rai have denied these specific allegations. Several reports also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took note of the matter on June 16 and directed officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

What Did the SIT Investigation Actually Find Inside the Ram Mandir

The SIT’s preliminary report identified approximately 70 suspicious incidents of alleged cash pilferage captured on CCTV between April 27 and June 5 2026, with counting staff seen repeatedly concealing cash in pockets, socks, underclothing, and attached bathrooms, pointing to systemic failure rather than a single organised heist.

OpIndia reports the SIT found that approximately 70 suspicious incidents were captured on CCTV footage during the counting process over a period of roughly six weeks. Staff members were seen repeatedly hiding wads of cash in their pockets, socks, underclothing, and even in attached bathrooms. Critically, CCTV footage covering several months from cash-counting areas was alleged to have been deleted, raising suspicion of a deliberate cover-up beyond the individual incidents captured before the deletion.

India.com reports the Ram Mandir operates 35 donation boxes across the temple premises, managed through two shifts of counting staff. On June 15, Advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi filed a letter petition in the Supreme Court seeking CBI-led investigation to ensure a fair and transparent probe. On June 20, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Lucknow High Court demanding a judicial commission headed by a High Court or Supreme Court judge. By late June, media reports claimed the missing funds may exceed Rs 200 crore, significantly higher than the initial allegation of Rs 5 to 7.5 crore, though no final judicial determination has been made on the total figure.

How is the Ram Mandir Trust Responding to the Allegations

The trust accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra on moral grounds on July 6, 2026, appointed Bajrang Bagra as new general secretary and Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary, and formed a three-member panel to identify and appoint a new CEO.

Business Today reports that Champat Rai submitted his resignation on June 26, and the trust unanimously accepted it at a crucial meeting held at the Ram Mandir complex on July 6. Bajrang Bagra was chosen as the new general secretary. Administrator Gopal Rao was removed from the special invitee list. The three-member CEO selection committee comprises retired judge Pramod Kohli, retired army Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and former NIT Raipur chairperson Suresh Haware.

Outlook India reports Treasurer Govind Dev Giri blamed the State Bank of India’s oversight, telling a press conference that the FIR should actually have been filed by SBI rather than by the trust itself. Giri defended Rai, saying the former general secretary “is untainted in my eyes,” praising his life of sacrifice and noting he stepped down voluntarily to protect the probe’s integrity. Interim general secretary Krishna Mohan, a former Indian Forest Service officer and RSS member, told ANI his primary endeavour would be to plug loopholes and rectify errors so such incidents are never repeated. Trust members displayed disputed items to the press, asserting all 2,926 offerings are fully recorded.

How Are Locals and Political Parties Reacting to the Scandal

The donation controversy sparked an immediate political firestorm, with opposition parties demanding a Supreme Court-supervised probe and forensic audit, the RSS expressing grief while backing the SIT, and locals expressing mixed feelings about a city that has delivered uneven benefits.

BBC reports that opposition parties including Congress and Shiv Sena UBT have demanded an independent Supreme Court-supervised investigation, a forensic audit, and full accountability for senior officials. Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter. The BJP defended the trust’s internal response, arguing the trust itself initiated the complaint that led to the FIR, demonstrating accountability rather than concealment.

Times of India reports the RSS expressed grief over the alleged irregularities while backing the SIT investigation and urging the trust to prevent any recurrence that could weaken devotees’ faith. According to a local tour operator cited in the original ground report, much of the development boom has only benefited areas within a narrow radius of the temple, leaving other parts of the district behind. This disparity, the operator suggested, may have contributed to the BJP losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal called for stringent action against bigger names rather than only lower-level functionaries, telling ANI that targeting only junior office bearers will not address public concerns and those at the top must face action. Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut alleged that Rs 2,000 crore was stolen from the Ram Mandir Trust and used to engineer political splits in the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena UBT — a claim that remains unverified and contested by the BJP.

What Are the Unintended Consequences of Ayodhya’s Rapid Growth

Ayodhya’s rapid transformation has brought real challenges alongside its prosperity, including restricted movement for locals and pilgrims, water shortages hitting up to half of households, severed connectivity between the new Ayodhya Dham and the older Faizabad city, and a development boom whose benefits have remained geographically concentrated near the temple.

Nomad Lawyer reports that property values within the Ram Mandir corridor have surged at premium rates, hotel occupancy now consistently exceeds 85 percent year-round compared to 40 percent pre-2020, and approximately 45,000 direct employment opportunities have been created in hospitality, transportation, and retail. However, 78 percent of this activity is concentrated near the temple complex, leaving adjacent districts with minimal economic spillover.

Travel and Tour World documents the day-to-day challenges. Only local vehicles bearing the Ayodhya RTO code UP-42 are permitted beyond a certain checkpoint, meaning pilgrims are frequently seen walking long distances toward the temple. Water supply shortages are hitting 40 to 50 percent of households and guesthouses during peak season. Commuters from Faizabad find their connectivity to the new Ayodhya Dham severed by the development’s barricades and restricted zones. As one third-generation resident said, too many restrictions and barricades have made commuting a serious problem even for locals. Another noted that for outsiders, even entering Ayodhya has become a problem. The city, as one report puts it, is a city with two tales: one of prosperity and another of grappling with the challenges of its own success.

Summary Table: Ram Mandir Ayodhya Then and Now

Aspect	Before 2024	Now in 2026
Annual Visitors	1.7 lakh	Over 22 crore by October 2025
Economic Status	Modest pilgrimage town	Tourism hub, Rs 10,000 crore annual revenue projected
Infrastructure	No airport, narrow roads	International airport, 60,000 passengers daily at railway station
Local Earnings	Rs 400 to 500 per day	Multiplied fivefold for small traders
Temple Trust Leadership	Led by Champat Rai	New leadership after resignation and donation theft scandal
Key Challenge	Limited economic opportunity	Managing rapid growth and restoring trust after scandal

Key Takeaways for Readers

• Over 900 days after the Pran Pratishtha, Ayodhya has attracted over 22 crore visitors by October 2025, with annual tourism revenue projected to reach Rs 18,000 crore by 2028. (Source: Business Today)
• The IIM Lucknow study confirms trader incomes have multiplied fivefold, GST collections reached Rs 400 crore, and 1.2 lakh new jobs are projected in the Ayodhya region. (Source: The Researchers)
• The donation controversy began June 7 2026 with allegations of Rs 5 to 7.5 crore siphoned from temple offerings. Eight people were arrested on June 26, with Rs 79,85,493 seized. (Source: Outlook India)
• Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned on moral grounds. Bajrang Bagra was appointed new general secretary on July 6. Krishna Mohan serves as interim general secretary. (Source: Business Today)
• The RSS backed the SIT probe while expressing grief over the alleged irregularities. Opposition parties demanded Supreme Court supervision and forensic audit. (Source: Times of India )
• Ayodhya faces uneven development. Up to 50 percent of households face water shortages during peak season, and the economic boom has largely remained concentrated within a narrow radius of the temple. (Source: Travel and Tour World)

FAQ on Ram Mandir Donation Scandal

References

1. The Print. (2026, February 17). IIM Lucknow study captures Ram Temple’s impact on Ayodhya. https://theprint.in/india/iim-lucknow-study-captures-ram-temples-impact-on-ayodhya-reverse-migration-gst-revenue-rise/2856911/
2. Organiser. (2026, February 17). Ayodhya’s Economic Renaissance: IIM study reveals 5x income surge after consecration of Ram Mandir. https://organiser.org/2026/02/17/340496/bharat/ayodhyas-economic-renaissance-iim-study-reveals-5x-income-surge-after-consecration-of-ram-mandir/
3. Business Today. (2025, November 25). Ram Mandir effect: Ayodhya’s tourism economy likely to generate Rs 18,000 crore revenue by 2028. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/politics/story/ram-mandir-effect-ayodhyas-tourism-economy-likely-to-generate-rs-18000-crore-revenue-by-2028-503664-2025-11-25
4. The Researchers. (2026, February 17). IIM Lucknow Study Finds Ram Temple Driving Ayodhya’s Economic Boom. https://www.theresearchers.us/2026/02/17/ram-temple-ayodhya-economic/
5. Outlook India. (2026, July 6). Ram Temple Trust Accepts Resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra Amid Donation Theft Scandal. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/ram-temple-trust-accepts-resignations-of-champat-rai-and-anil-mishra-amid-donation-theft-scandal
6. The Quint. (2026, June 26). Champat Rai resigns as Ram Mandir Trust faces donation probe. https://www.thequint.com/news/breaking-news/champat-rai-ram-mandir-trust-resignation-probe
7. Business Today. (2026, July 6). Ram temple donation theft: Trust accepts Champat Rai’s resignation, Bajrang Bagra new general secretary. https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/ram-temple-trust-champat-rai-resignation-bajrang-bagra-general-secretary-donation-probe-541236-2026-07-06
8. BBC. (2026, July 6). India’s landmark Ram temple overhauls board after alleged theft of donations. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz79geg01rro
9. Times of India. (2026, July 11). RSS voices grief over alleged Ram Mandir donation theft, backs SIT probe. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rss-voices-grief-over-alleged-ram-mandir-donation-theft-backs-sit-probe/articleshow/132053847.cms
10. Nomad Lawyer. (2026, June 12). Ayodhya Tourism Boom: 164 Million Visitors Transform Pilgrimage Hub. https://www.nomadlawyer.org/ayodhya-tourism-boom-june-2026
11. Travel and Tour World. (2026, June 29). Ayodhya’s Metamorphosis: What Others Get Wrong About India’s New Spiritual Capital. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/15dp5o09zxbw/
12. OpIndia. (2026, July 8). Ram Mandir donation theft: As SIT report highlights rampant mismanagement, the lack of accountability is glaring. https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/ayodhya-donation-theft-sit-report-lack-of-accountability-gross-mismanagement-ignored-warnings/
13. India.com. (2026, June 26). Missing crores, resignations, SIT and donation working system: The Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation controversy explained. https://www.india.com/news/india/ram-temple-donation-row-explained-timeline-of-the-controversy-sit-probe-alleged-lapses-and-how-temple-donation-system-works-8458868/