Is the Dwarkadhish Temple Being Exploited by a Fake Website and App for Online Fraud?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vigilance is essential: Devotees should be cautious of any apps or websites asking for money.
- Report fraud: Any suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
- Protect faith: Cyber scams undermine the sanctity of religious practices.
- Legal action is needed: Authorities must proactively address these issues to safeguard devotees.
- Awareness is key: Educating the public about such scams can help prevent exploitation.
Ahmedabad, Aug 15 (NationPress) As the auspicious festivities of Janmashtami draw near, a new instance of online deceit has surfaced, taking advantage of the revered Dwarkadhish Temple and raising alarms regarding the effectiveness of cybercrime laws.
In light of recent occurrences where devotees fell victim to fraudulent websites and applications, a dubious app named “Gharmandir” is reportedly gathering funds from worshippers by falsely claiming to provide religious services at the temple, as stated by temple authorities.
A formal complaint has been lodged with law enforcement. The Dwarkadhish Mandir Devasthan Samiti has noted that the app is requesting payments of Rs 151, Rs 201, and Rs 301 under the pretense of facilitating offerings and other services to Lord Dwarkadhish during the Janmashtami celebration.
An Instagram profile associated with this app is allegedly guiding devotees to download it, which adds an air of credibility to the scam for unsuspecting individuals. Temple manager Himanshu Chauhan clarified on behalf of the Devasthan Samiti that “no such service exists at Jagatmandir” and confirmed that a written complaint has been submitted to the Superintendent of Police.
The committee has urged devotees to be cautious of illegitimate applications and social media accounts claiming to represent the temple.
The Dwarkadhish Temple, also referred to as Jagatmandir, is one of the most respected pilgrimage destinations in Hinduism, holding tremendous spiritual importance as it is believed to be the realm of Lord Krishna, who is venerated here as the “King of Dwarka.”
Located on the western coast of Gujarat, the temple is a key part of the Char Dham Yatra, attracting millions of pilgrims from around India and beyond. Its history extends over 2,500 years, featuring elaborate architecture and rituals that appeal to lakhs of devotees each year.
This revelation has incited anger among worshippers, who accuse scammers of taking advantage of people's faith while questioning the perceived inaction of cybercrime authorities.
During Janmashtami, Dwarka sees lakhs of pilgrims, with crores more participating remotely. Given these vast numbers, devotees caution that fraudsters could amass substantial amounts if swift action isn’t taken.
The Devasthan Samiti has reiterated its ability to only issue alerts, but many believe that the onus now falls on law enforcement.
Devotees are calling on the police to take proactive measures, file a case, identify the individuals behind the fraudulent platform, and close it down before Janmashtami to avert widespread financial and emotional harm.