Free temples from govt control, ensure audited trusts: Shankaracharya

Bhopal: Reacting to the alleged irregularities in donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Shankaracharya of Dwaraka Sharada Peeth Swami Sadanand Saraswati on Tuesday said that temples across the country should be freed from govt control and managed through “transparent trusts”.Speaking during his visit to Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, the Shankaracharya said that allegations of financial irregularities in religious institutions hurt the sentiments of devotees. “We have been saying for a long time that temples should be freed from govt control.

Had temples been managed by saints and religious institutions, such large-scale irregularities would not have occurred.

Devotees and their families visit temples and donate their hard-earned money out of devotion, and any alleged misuse of this money causes pain,” he said.He advocated formation of trusts with strong accountability mechanisms and regular audits of temple funds by retired officials. “Regular checks are necessary to help prevent controversies involving such alleged irregularities in temple administration,” he said.The Shankaracharya said that the offerings temples receive should be utilised for public welfare in the district where the temple is located. “Temple income should be spent on developing schools, ashrams, cow shelters and other social welfare initiatives,” he said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal | Petrol Price in Bhopal | Diesel Price in Bhopal | CNG Price in Bhopal | LPG Price in BhopalStay updated with the latest Bhopal news.

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