7,671 kg ‘silver-like’ metal donated at Vaishno Devi shrine in 3 years

The SMVDSB disclosed that it received 4,080.66 kg of white metal, appearing like silver, in 2024-25 and 2,916.94 kg in 2025-26. A further 673.84 kg of silver was received from March to June this year, taking the total to 7,671.44 kg.

The Vaishno Devi shrine is visited by lakhs of pilgrims from across the world every year. In 2023, at least 95.22 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine, while the number was almost the same in 2024 at 94.84 lakh. In 2025, the footfall declined to 69.79 lakh due to the closure of roads following landslides and flashfloods.

While silver is among the precious metals commonly donated at the shrine, devotees also offer gold in significant quantities. In 2024-25, 18.11 kg of gold was donated, while the figure fell to 10.82 kg in 2025-26. From March to June this year, another 3.17 kg of gold was donated, taking the total to around 32 kg over the three-year period.

The shrine also received cash donations running into crores. It received Rs 282.17 crore in 2024-25, Rs 217 crore in 2025-26 and Rs 72.97 crore from March to June this year.

In April this year, tests at a government mint reportedly found that the “silver” accumulated through donations contained only around 5 to 6 per cent actual silver, with the remaining portion reportedly comprising cheaper metals.

Following the reports, a Jammu-based advocate approached the court, raising concerns over alleged adulteration, substitution, pilferage and possible misappropriation of approximately 20 tonnes of silver offerings made by devotees at the shrine, reportedly valued at around Rs 550 crore.

The Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, last week directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Katra, to submit a detailed inquiry report and take appropriate action on the allegations made in an application seeking urgent preservation of evidence in the alleged fake silver donation case.

The RTI response also disclosed details of the system followed for counting cash at the shrine, saying the process is carried out strictly in accordance with guidelines under the Standard Operating Procedure.

The concerned bank deploys Assistant Banking Associates (ABAs) or Banking Associates (BAs) for cash counting in the counting room at Bhawan. Personnel engaged in counting the cash wear pocketless clothes.

Frisking of all persons entering and leaving the counting room is carried out by two agencies, including Shrine Board security personnel and the CRPF.

The cash-counting operation continues even on Sundays and holidays, with staff at the cash counter availing holidays on a rotational basis.

The counting room is equipped with CCTV cameras to capture the entire process of handling uncounted and counted cash from the beginning to the end of the operation.

All foreign currency notes and coins sorted out during the counting process are separated, listed and handed over to Shrine Board officials deployed for the purpose. The amount is subsequently credited to the SMVDSB account as per the bank’s mandate.