Ram temple attendant returns ₹20 lakh chain amid Ayodhya donation theft row
Synopsis
While allegations of donation theft cloud the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple administration, attendant Dhruvesh Mishra quietly handed back a ₹20 lakh diamond-studded gold chain to a grieving widow — a single act of integrity that has cut through the noise and become the most-shared story out of Ayodhya this week.
Key Takeaways
Dhruvesh Mishra , an attendant at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple , found a diamond-studded gold chain worth approximately ₹20 lakh on the road near Hanuman Garhi .
He arranged a public announcement at the PFC office to trace the owner, rather than keeping the jewellery.
Nirmala Devi of Muzaffarnagar , wife of the late Mohan Kumar , claimed the chain after verification in the presence of police.
She said the chain held deep emotional significance as a gift from her late husband, valuing it far beyond its ₹20 lakh worth.
The act comes amid ongoing allegations of donation theft and mismanagement of cash offerings at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex.
Amid a swirling controversy over alleged theft of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Ayodhya, a temple attendant's act of honesty on Sunday, 9 August has drawn widespread praise from locals and pilgrims alike. Dhruvesh Mishra, who serves at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, returned a diamond-studded gold chain worth approximately ₹20 lakh to its rightful owner after finding it on the road.
How the Chain Was Found and Returned
Dhruvesh Mishra discovered the diamond-studded gold chain lying on the road leading towards Hanuman Garhi on Saturday. Determined to return it to its owner, he visited the PFC office and arranged a public announcement. Shortly after, Nirmala Devi — a devotee from Muzaffarnagar and wife of Mohan Kumar — came forward to claim the chain. The handover was completed after necessary verification in the presence of police personnel.
Emotional Significance Beyond Monetary Value
Upon recovering the chain, Nirmala Devi was visibly overwhelmed. She explained that the ornament carried far greater emotional weight than its ₹20 lakh market value, as it had been gifted to her by her late husband. 'This meant much more than a piece of jewellery,' she said, describing it as a lasting symbol of her husband's memory.
The Backdrop: Ayodhya Temple Donation Controversies
Mishra's act of integrity arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple administration. In recent months, disputes have emerged over the counting and management of cash offerings and donation funds at the temple. Allegations of misappropriation of donations have repeatedly surfaced, drawing scrutiny from devotees and observers. The controversy has placed the temple's administrative conduct under a public spotlight.
Why This Story Has Resonated
Notably, the contrast between the alleged institutional lapses and one individual's principled conduct has amplified the story's reach. Pilgrims and residents of Ayodhya have praised Dhruvesh Mishra as a counter-narrative to the broader trust deficit surrounding the temple complex. This is not the first time a grassroots act of honesty at a major religious site has gone viral in India, but the timing — against an active donation-theft controversy — has given it particular resonance. How the temple administration responds to ongoing accountability questions remains to be seen.
Point of View
But it must not crowd out the harder conversation about governance reform at one of India's most visited and most scrutinised religious sites.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dhruvesh Mishra and what did he do?
Dhruvesh Mishra is an attendant at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya who found a diamond-studded gold chain worth approximately ₹20 lakh on the road near Hanuman Garhi. Instead of keeping it, he arranged a public announcement and returned the chain to its rightful owner after police verification.
Who was the owner of the returned gold chain?
The chain belonged to Nirmala Devi, a devotee from Muzaffarnagar and wife of the late Mohan Kumar. She said the jewellery was gifted to her by her husband and held deep emotional significance beyond its monetary value.
What is the donation theft controversy at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple?
In recent months, allegations have surfaced regarding the theft and misappropriation of cash offerings and donation funds at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Ayodhya. Questions have been raised about the counting and management of donations, placing the temple administration under public scrutiny.
Why has Dhruvesh Mishra's act received so much attention?
The act has resonated widely because it comes at a time when the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple is embroiled in donation-theft allegations. The contrast between alleged institutional misconduct and one individual's principled conduct has amplified the story among pilgrims and residents of Ayodhya.
Where exactly did the incident take place?
Dhruvesh Mishra found the gold chain on the road leading towards Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya. The subsequent verification and handover took place in the presence of police personnel at the PFC office.
