Supreme Court Criticises 'Special Pujas' In Temples By Rich Devotees During Deity's Resting Time

The Supreme Court on Monday (December 15) criticised the practice of allowing rich people to do 'special pujas' in temples after paying money, disrupting the resting time of the deity.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi was hearing a writ petition concerning the Banke Bihari temple.  The challenge in the plea was mainly related to the change in Darshan timing of the temple and also the stopping of certain essential religious practices, including Dehri Pooja in the temple. In August, the temple administration was placed under the supervision of a High-Powered Committee constituted by the Court.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, for the petitioners (temple sewayats), raised objections to the change in the darshan timings. "These darshan timings are part of tradition and rituals. The timings during which the temple is open to the public are a part of a long tradition."

He submitted that historically, the temple followed strict timings. "The change in temple timings has led to a change in the internal temple rituals, including the timings when the deity wakes up in the morning and sleeps at night," Divan submitted.

At this point, CJI Surya Kant made a general observation: "What they do is, after closing the temple at 12 noon... they do not allow the deity to rest even for a second... they exploit the deity like anything. The so-called affluent people, those who can afford to pay hefty amounts, they are allowed to do special pujas!"

"That is not so. Your lordships may ensure that it is proscribed. It is a very important period of rest for the deity. This is important. The Court is raising an extremely important point. The timings are sacrosanct and should be maintained," Divan replied.

"This is the time when they indulge in all kinds of these practices that they invite people who can pay, and special pujas are done," CJI said. However, Divan said that there was no such complaint on this aspect in the temple. "There is no such issue or complaint on this aspect here. But the apprehension raised by your lordship is correct and can be separately addressed," Divan said.

Divan submitted that the petition was filed in respect of the change in the puja timings. Arguing that the puja timings are sacrosanct, he submitted that they should be strictly maintained. He said that Pooja time cannot be seen as a mere administrative issue, as it was very much tied to the traditions. He completely endorsed the CJI's observation that there should not be any privileged darshan for anyone during the deity's resting time.

After hearing the submissions, the Bench directed that the High Powered Committee be served notice and listed the matter for further consideration in the first week of January.

In August, the Court had constituted a High Powered Committee led by Justice Ashok Kumar, former Allahabad High Court Judge, to oversee and supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple at Vrindavan, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

The Court constituted this Committee while suspending the operation of the Committee constituted under the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025. The Court relegated the challenge to the Constitutional validity of the Ordinance to the Allahabad High Court. Till the High Court decides the matter, the High-Powered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court will be in charge of the temple.

The petitioners in the present petition were the Management Committee of the temple through Gopesh Goswami from Shayan Bhog seva, and Rajat Goswami. The petition was filed through Advocate-on-Record Tanvi Dubey.

Case : MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THAKUR SHREE BANKEY BIHARI JI MAHARAJ TEMPLE AND ANR. Versus SHREE BANKEY BIHARI JI MANDIR HIGH POWERED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND ORS.| W.P.(C) No. 1228/2025