The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has disclosed receiving over 7.67 tonnes of a ‘white metal’ resembling silver in donations between 2024 and June of the current year. This revelation comes amidst an ongoing inquiry into allegations concerning the adulteration of silver offerings, reportedly valued at approximately Rs 550 crore, at the prominent Hindu shrine. The disclosure was made in response to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Raman Sharma, who had sought comprehensive details regarding donations received by the shrine over the preceding three years.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the SMVDSB reported receiving 4,080.66 kilograms of the silver-like white metal during the 2024-25 financial year, followed by 2,916.94 kilograms in 2025-26. An additional 673.84 kilograms of this metal was received between March and June of the current year, bringing the cumulative total to 7,671.44 kilograms. The Vaishno Devi shrine is a highly revered pilgrimage site, attracting millions of devotees annually from across the globe. In 2023, the shrine recorded a footfall of at least 95.22 lakh pilgrims. The following year, the number remained substantial, with 94.84 lakh pilgrims visiting. However, in 2025, the pilgrimage numbers saw a decline to 69.79 lakh, attributed to road closures necessitated by landslides and flash floods.
While silver is a commonly donated precious metal at the shrine, devotees also contribute significant quantities of gold. The SMVDSB reported receiving 18.11 kilograms of gold in donations during 2024-25, a figure that decreased to 10.82 kilograms in 2025-26. From March to June of the current year, an additional 3.17 kilograms of gold was donated, totaling approximately 32 kilograms over the three-year period. In addition to precious metals, the shrine also receives substantial cash donations, amounting to crores of rupees. The reported cash receipts were Rs 282.17 crore for 2024-25, Rs 217 crore for 2025-26, and Rs 72.97 crore from March to June of the current year.
The controversy surrounding the donations escalated in April of this year when tests conducted at a government mint reportedly indicated that the ‘silver’ collected through donations contained only about 5 to 6 percent actual silver. The remaining portion was allegedly composed of cheaper metals. Following these reports, a Jammu-based advocate initiated legal proceedings, raising serious concerns about alleged adulteration, substitution, pilferage, and potential misappropriation of approximately 20 tonnes of silver offerings made by devotees. These offerings were reportedly valued at around Rs 550 crore. In response to these allegations, the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, has directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Katra to submit a detailed inquiry report and take appropriate action. This directive stems from an application seeking urgent preservation of evidence in the alleged fake silver donation case.
The RTI response also shed light on the meticulous procedures in place for counting cash donations at the shrine. The process is reportedly conducted in strict adherence to guidelines outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The SMVDSB engages personnel from a concerned bank, specifically Assistant Banking Associates (ABAs) or Banking Associates (BAs), to manage cash counting within a designated counting room at the Bhawan. Individuals involved in the cash counting process are required to wear pocketless clothing to prevent any unauthorized removal of funds. Furthermore, all personnel entering and exiting the counting room are subjected to thorough frisking by two separate agencies: Shrine Board security personnel and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The cash-counting operations are conducted continuously, even on Sundays and public holidays, with staff members observing holidays on a rotational basis. To ensure transparency and accountability, the counting room is equipped with advanced CCTV camera systems that continuously record the entire process, from the handling of uncounted cash to the final tally of counted funds. Any foreign currency notes and coins identified during the counting process are meticulously separated, documented, and handed over to designated Shrine Board officials. These foreign currency amounts are subsequently credited to the SMVDSB account as per the bank’s established mandate. The ongoing inquiry into the alleged adulteration of silver donations is expected to scrutinize these donation and handling processes further, potentially impacting the trust placed in the shrine’s financial management by millions of devotees worldwide.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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