Ayodhya has witnessed many religious ceremonies, but a special 10-day purification drive underway at the Ram Temple is drawing attention because it is aimed at “atoning” for an alleged theft of devotee offerings and seeking forgiveness from Lord Ram. The ritual and who started it The drive began on Wednesday on the initiative of Govind Dev Giri, treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. As part of it, students from Ayodhya’s gurukuls are reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra — the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu — across the temple complex and gurukuls. Hindus believe this chant brings positivity and prosperity. Giri told that the purpose is to restore the temple’s sanctity after the donation controversy. The target is a minimum of 251 recitations each day. Trust member Dinendra Das said the chanting is being done to correct “errors that took place at Ram Lalla’s shrine.” The Valmiki Ramayan is also being recited alongside. Political response The ritual has sparked political comments. UP Congress president Ajay Rai said the “buddhi-shuddhi yagya” shows that “something very wrong happened in Ayodhya.” He added he hopes Lord Ram gives those involved wisdom to recognize their mistakes. SP national secretary Abhishek Mishra said that according to Sanatan tradition, such a purification has no meaning unless the people accused of misusing temple funds themselves take part and seek pardon. Without that, he called it “cosmetic, not spiritual.” What happened in the donation row The controversy began on June 7 over alleged misappropriation of temple donations. On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government set up an SIT to investigate. Based on initial findings, 8 people involved in counting donations at the temple were taken into custody. In the aftermath, then Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra stepped down. Giri said the incident has left devotees upset and embarrassed. “The truth will come out with the Lord’s grace,” he said. He also stated that all audit records are secure and that daily collection of offerings is managed by local trustees, not by him. The exact details of when and how the alleged theft occurred are still under investigation. Post navigation CM Dr. Mohan Yadav inspected the Sleemanabad Tunnel—hailed as an “engineering marvel”—and described it as a dream project.
