The Bihar State Religious Trust Council has decided to call a meeting of all registered temples and mutts in the state in the second week of January to review security arrangements following a spate of temple thefts in recent weeks. Council chairman Ranbir Nandan stated that the meeting will assess current security measures, discuss suggestions for improvement, and urge the state government to provide adequate protection for shrines.
The decision follows major thefts at the Thawe temple in Gopalganj on December 17, where a gold crown and precious jewellery were stolen, and at the Dharmnath temple in Saran’s Bhagwan Bazar area the next day, where thieves decamped with gold jewellery of Goddess Durga and two donation boxes. Police have since arrested those involved in the Thawe temple theft.
The council, which functions under the state law department, has also sought details of financial resources available to temples for security-related assessment, clarifying it has no role in day-to-day fund handling. There are 2,499 temples and mutts registered with the BSRTC across Bihar’s 38 districts, whose assets and activities are monitored by the council.
Nandan added that the council is appointing district conveners to promote Sanatan Dharma in coordination with shrines and ensure registered temples hold Satyanarayan Katha and Bhagwati Puja on full moon and new moon days every month. When temple after temple is robbed in one state alone, collective review and enforceable security standards become essential, not optional, to protect both the physical and spiritual integrity of Hindu sacred spaces.
