Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust Paid Rs 400 Crore Taxes In 5 Years Amid Surge In Religious Tourism
Of the total tax paid, Rs 270 crore was contributed as Goods and Services Tax (GST), while the remaining Rs 130 crore was settled under various other tax categories.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has paid nearly Rs 400 crore in taxes to the government over the past five years, reflecting a rise in religious tourism in Ayodhya following the construction of the Ram temple. Trust Secretary Champat Rai on Sunday disclosed that the amount was paid between February 5, 2020, and February 5, 2025.
Of the total tax paid, Rs 270 crore was contributed as Goods and Services Tax (GST), while the remaining Rs 130 crore was settled under various other tax categories. Rai attributed this financial upswing to the sharp increase in the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya since the temple’s construction.
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Ayodhya has emerged as a major religious tourism hub, with the number of visitors soaring tenfold in recent years. Rai said that the influx of devotees and tourists also spurred economic activity and created employment opportunities for locals. He noted that during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, approximately 1.26 crore devotees made their way to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the temple.
Rai revealed that Ayodhya welcomed 16 crore visitors in the last year alone, with around 5 crore devotees specifically visiting the Ram temple. The sharp rise in footfall significantly boosted the trust’s revenue, reflected in the large tax outflow to the government. Rai assured that the financial dealings of the Ram Mandir Trust are transparent and regularly audited by officials from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The consecration of the Ram temple marked a historic moment in the country’s religious and cultural landscape. The sanctum sanctorum and the first floor of the temple were completed in January 2024. On January 22, 2024, the idol of Lord Rama in his child form was consecrated amid elaborate ceremonies attended by political and religious leaders from across the country.
The construction of the temple followed a landmark Supreme Court verdict in November 2019, which ruled that the disputed land in Ayodhya rightfully belonged to Hindus, paving the way for the construction of the Ram temple. The court also ordered the allocation of a separate piece of land for the construction of a mosque. The verdict was based on findings from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which uncovered evidence of a non-Islamic structure beneath the demolished Babri Masjid.
The foundation stone for the temple was laid on August 5, 2020, in a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. Since then, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has overseen the temple’s construction and management, as well as the facilitation of religious activities for the lakhs of devotees visiting the site.
The surge in religious tourism has had a transformative effect on Ayodhya’s economy. The influx of visitors has boosted local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and transport services, while also creating job opportunities for residents.
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