36 temples under government control had Rs 200 crore income in 2024: Deputy CM

As many as 36 major temples in Himachal, which are under government control, had an income of Rs 200.59 crore in 2024, besides Rs 346.26 crore bank deposits, said Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri in a written reply to a question asked by Bilaspur MLA Trilok Jamwal and Sullah MLA Vipin Singh Parmar during the Question Hour in the Vidhan Sabha today. These temples had bank deposits of Rs 346.26 crore and over 600 kg of gold and 250 quintal of silver offered by devotees over the years.

The two legislators had sought the details of the temple money from offerings that the state government had used for its schemes. “The government has not received or utilised any money from the temples. In fact, the temple trusts have used their money on religious, charitable activities and on making donations towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” said Agnihotri, who also holds the language, art and culture portfolio.

Agnihotri clarified that the government had not taken money from any temple for the Sukhashray or any other scheme. “A letter was circulated on January 29, 2025, requesting that temple money could be spent on the Sukashray Yojana and other similar welfare schemes but it was strictly voluntarily,” he added.

The 36 main temples in Himachal under government control come under the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984. Some of the prominent shrines on this list are dedicated to Mata Chintpurni in Una; Jwalamukhi, Chamunda and Brajeshwari Devi in Kangra; Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Baba Balaknath at Deotsidh in Hamirpur; Bhimakali, Tara Devi, Hatkoti and Jakhu temples in Shimla; and the Bala Sundari temple at Trilokpur in Sirmaur district.