Patna: Amid the controversy over alleged donation theft at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT) has sought financial reports covering the period from April 2025 to June 2026 from around 4,500 registered temples, mutts, dharmasalas and Kabir mutts across the state.The board has also directed these religious establishments to submit quarterly bank account details and annual audit reports to ensure financial transparency. According to sources, over 50 religious establishments in Bihar have an annual income exceeding Rs10 lakh.“The BSBRT has sought the financial reports for the period April 2025 to June 2026 from around 4,500 registered temples, mutts, dharmasalas and Kabir mutts across the state. We want to maintain financial transparency,” BSBRT chairman Ranbir Nandan told TOI on Wednesday.He said all registered religious establishments must submit details of their income, expenditure, bank balances and deposits within a month. “They have to submit the financial details to us every three months and this is mandatory. If they fail to comply, the BSBRT will be forced to consider reconstituting the management committees of the non-compliant establishments,” Nandan said.The board has also directed temples and mutts to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before undertaking any construction or expansion.Apart from financial compliance, the BSBRT has asked religious institutions to undertake academic and social activities. “All temples and mutts have been directed to start academic activities to help the poor while they have also been told to launch social activities. They have been told to conduct dowry-free marriages of poor girls,” Nandan said. He added that they have also been instructed to promote total prohibition enforced by the state govt and install modern gyms to encourage public health.According to trust officials, religious establishments with annual income exceeding Rs10 lakh include Mahavir Temple (Patna Junction), Maa Shyama Mandir (Darbhanga), Baba Garibnath Mandir (Muzaffarpur), Baba Harihar Nath Mandir (Sonepur), Deo Surya Mandir (Aurangabad), Patan Devi Mandir (Patna), Maa Tara Chandi Dham (Sasaram), Puran Devi Temple (Purnia), Areraj Math and Someshwar Mandir (East Champaran), Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir (Rajvanshi Nagar, Patna), and Baba Ajgaibinath Math (Sultanganj).
