The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government and the High-Powered Temple Committee over the Bankey Bihari Temple management. Key issues include darshan timings, special pujas, and the discontinued dehri puja.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India is set to examine a challenge to the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which proposes to dissolve the 1939 management framework and bring the temple under a state-run trust. The ordinance has sparked widespread debate, especially regarding the regulation of darshan timings and the management of special pujas.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had declined to hear the matter directly, instead forming a high-powered committee headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar to oversee the temple’s daily operations.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan emphasized,
“The issue requires sensitivity, particularly in relation to changes in darshan timings.”
Chief Justice of India (CJI) remarked on the ongoing practices at the temple, highlighting concerns of exploitation:
“After the temple closes at noon, the deity is not even allowed to rest for a moment. At this stage, the deity is exploited the most. Only affluent devotees who can pay substantial amounts are permitted to perform special pujas.”
Divan reiterated the importance of adhering to traditional timings:
“The darshan timings are sacrosanct and must be strictly adhered to.”
The CJI expressed concern over the special pujas that cater to wealthy devotees:
“Those who can afford hefty payments are invited in, a curtain is drawn, and special pujas are conducted.”
On the abolition of dehri puja, the CJI questioned the broader implications:
“Let us assume there is a drop of 10–15 thousand devotees during the original timings, but what about the impact involving several thousands more?”
Divan clarified the objective behind regulating the flow of devotees:
“We want to avoid any situation leading to a stampede. Regulating the flow of devotees is necessary; that is a separate concern altogether.”
He also confirmed that the Dehri puja performed between the Guru and the Shishya has been discontinued.
Supreme Court Orders
The Supreme Court issued the following directions:
- The Member-Secretary of the High-Powered Temple Committee is impleaded as a respondent.
- Notices are issued to the High-Powered Committee and the Uttar Pradesh Government.
- The matter is listed for the first week of January 2026.
This development marks a critical moment for the management of one of India’s most revered temples and may redefine the balance between tradition and state oversight.
Background
Earlier, the Management Committee of Thakur Bankey Bihari Ji Temple filed a writ petition challenging the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which vests the control and administration of the Temple in a statutory Trust. During the proceedings, the Supreme Court proposed the constitution of an interim management Committee headed by a former High Court Judge.
The Court observed that the Temple funds must be used exclusively for the welfare of pilgrims and cannot be appropriated by private individuals in the name of a private temple.
Previously, in May 2025, the Supreme Court had allowed the State of Uttar Pradesh to utilise the Temple funds for acquiring land surrounding the Temple in accordance with the proposed scheme, subject to the condition that the acquired land would vest in the Deity/Trust. The Court also emphasised that Receivers appointed for Mathura temples should belong to the Vaishnav Sampradayas.
Case Title:
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
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