Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be in Ayodhya for the day today to participate in a series of religious, cultural and development-related programmes, even as controversy continues over alleged embezzlement and questions surrounding donations and financial transparency linked to the Ram Mandir. Alongside the scheduled public events, administrative protocol decisions linked to the visit have also drawn attention, particularly the reported absence of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai from the Chief Minister’s stage engagements.
The CM’s visit comes at a politically sensitive time, with scrutiny intensifying over the management of temple-related funds and ongoing discussions about accountability within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
According to the official schedule, the chief minister will inaugurate 72 development projects in Rudauli and lay the foundation stone for 51 additional projects.
He will also inaugurate the medical college located at Hunhuna in the Baba Bazar area and unveil a statue of Veerangana Jhalkari Bai.
As part of the visit, Yogi Adityanath is expected to address a public gathering in Rudauli and later attend religious and cultural programmes in Ayodhya.
One of the key engagements includes participation in the Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav at the Shri Rishabh Dev Digambar Jain Temple at around 3:30 pm.
The Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav holds special significance in Jainism as it commemorates the five major auspicious events associated with the lives of the Tirthankaras — conception, birth, penance, attainment of omniscience and liberation (moksha).
Jain devotees, saints and religious leaders from different parts of the country are expected to attend.
CM Yogi will also participate in the birth anniversary celebration of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who is regarded as one of the prominent saints associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the Sanatan tradition.
In the evening, the chief minister will inaugurate the Ramayana wax museum near Kanshiram Colony in Ayodhya.
Developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 10 crore, the museum is being projected as an initiative aimed at strengthening Ayodhya’s cultural and tourism profile.
It features life-like wax representations of episodes from the Ramayana along with depictions of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and other prominent figures.
Yogi Adityanath is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for various civic projects undertaken by the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation.
CHAMPAT RAI UNDER LENS
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in temple funds and donations, sources indicated that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai will not be seen on stage with the Chief Minister during the visit.
According to sources, the Ayodhya administration has directed that a representative attend in place of Champat Rai as part of the protocol arrangements for the CM’s visit.
The Trust is expected to nominate another representative. While Gopal Rao has often been present during official and ceremonial engagements in Ayodhya, Champat Rai has rarely appeared on such occasions in the past.
However, the current decision is being linked by observers to the ongoing SIT questioning involving him.
THE RAM MANDIR DONATION PROBE
The SIT probing alleged fund embezzlement questioned Trust member Dr Anil Mishra on Thursday. Investigators reportedly sought details regarding the counting of donation collections and the appointment of personnel involved in the process.
Meanwhile, a legal notice was issued by Sudhakar Singh, sitting Member of Parliament from Buxar, Bihar (RJD), seeking disclosure of donation and expenditure records of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the period between FY 2021–22 and FY 2025–26.
“This notice has been issued strictly in the public interest and not in any political, partisan, or personal capacity,” said Advocate Satyam Singh Rajput.
The notice seeks audited statements, expenditure records, land purchase details, banking information and disclosures regarding any foreign contributions.
It further states that if no satisfactory response is received within the stipulated period, the matter may be pursued through appropriate legal forums.
With Ayodhya continuing to remain at the centre of both religious significance and public attention, Yogi Adityanath’s visit is expected to project development and cultural outreach while developments around the donation controversy and demands for greater transparency remain under close watch.
– Ends
Published On:
Jun 19, 2026 11:04 IST
