Ram Mandir devotees show no 'distrust' despite donation row: Nripendra Misra
Synopsis
Despite a donation theft scandal rattling the Ram Mandir administration, Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra says pilgrim footfall at Ayodhya shows zero sign of distrust — and the temple complex is on track to wrap up most construction by Independence Day, 15 August.
Key Takeaways
Nripendra Misra , Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee , said devotee footfall at Ayodhya shows no sign of “hesitation or distrust” following the donation theft row.
Weekend crowds remain heavy, with significant gatherings also reported at Hanuman Garhi .
Misra termed the donation theft a matter of “deep regret” and pledged systemic improvements to prevent recurrence.
The Ram Mandir project is in its final phase ; memorial work is expected to be completed by end of July .
Most construction within the temple complex is targeted for completion by 15 August 2025 (Independence Day).
Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra said on Sunday, 12 July that devotees continue to visit the Ayodhya temple in large numbers, with no visible signs of “hesitation or distrust” in the system despite the controversy surrounding a recent donation theft at the shrine.
Footfall Remains Steady, Says Misra
Misra acknowledged he does not have precise data on visitor numbers since the row broke out, but said on-ground feedback points to no decline in daily footfall. “The personal feedback I received after talking to devotees is that their focus continues to be on Lord Ram and offering prayers to him, and they will continue to come in large numbers,” he said.
He added that crowds are particularly heavy on weekends. “I am told the devotees’ footfall swells on Saturday and Sunday, and there are sizeable crowds even at Hanuman Garhi,” Misra said, dismissing concerns that the donation controversy had dampened pilgrim sentiment.
Temple Administration Acknowledges the Theft Incident
Misra described the theft of donations at the Ram Mandir as a matter of “deep regret,” while assuring the public that corrective steps are underway. “The incident that occurred at the Ram Mandir is a matter of deep regret for all of us. We not only feel sorry but also feel diminished by what has happened. It is a matter related to the system, and improvements will certainly be made. I have full faith that such incidents will not be repeated,” he said.
The statement signals that the temple administration is treating the episode as a systemic failure rather than an isolated lapse, and has committed to strengthening oversight mechanisms.
Construction Enters Final Phase
On the progress of the temple complex, Misra said the Ram Mandir project has entered its final phase, with only two major tasks outstanding. The first involves the old temple and its memorial, where most work is complete except for the arrangement of a 24-hour ‘jwala’ (eternal flame). The second is the completion of the memorial itself, which is expected to be finished by end of July.
Misra also reviewed progress on the temple’s boundary wall and expressed confidence it would be completed within the scheduled timeline.
August 15 Deadline for Complex Work
Misra indicated that the bulk of construction work within the temple complex is targeted for completion by Independence Day, 15 August. “I expect the construction companies to meet the August 15 deadline for work pending within the complex,” he said, clarifying that work on external structures such as the planned museum falls outside this timeline.
With the donation controversy still fresh and the construction clock ticking toward 15 August, the coming weeks will test both the temple administration’s accountability measures and its ability to deliver on its construction commitments.
Point of View
But they are anecdotal — the committee itself admits it has no hard data on post-row footfall. The more consequential question is institutional: a donation theft at one of India’s highest-profile religious sites exposes the gap between the scale of the Ram Mandir’s public prominence and the maturity of its internal controls. Pledging “systemic improvements” without specifying what those improvements are is a pattern that rarely satisfies scrutiny. The August 15 construction deadline, meanwhile, is the third such milestone the project has set — how it is met will say as much about execution credibility as the donation row says about governance.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Mandir donation row about?
A theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya triggered public concern and scrutiny of the temple’s financial oversight systems. Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra described the incident as a matter of ‘deep regret’ and said the administration would strengthen its systems to prevent recurrence.
Has the donation controversy affected devotee visits to Ayodhya?
According to Nripendra Misra, there are no visible signs of a dip in devotee footfall. He said personal feedback from pilgrims indicates their focus remains on offering prayers to Lord Ram, and that weekend crowds at the temple and Hanuman Garhi remain sizeable.
When will Ram Mandir construction be completed?
Misra said most construction work within the Ram Mandir complex is targeted for completion by 15 August 2025 (Independence Day). The memorial is expected to be finished by end of July, though work on external structures such as the planned museum is not included in this deadline.
What two tasks remain in the Ram Mandir’s final construction phase?
The two pending tasks are: first, the arrangement of a 24-hour ‘jwala’ (eternal flame) at the old temple and its memorial; and second, the completion of the memorial itself, expected by end of July.
What action is the Ram Mandir administration taking after the donation theft?
Nripendra Misra assured that the temple administration will strengthen its internal systems to prevent similar incidents. He did not specify the exact measures being introduced but expressed full confidence that such incidents would not be repeated.
