GOVERNMENT
OF
RAJASTHAN
1
Part I
Departmental Overview
Devasthan Department was established in 1949 with the formation of
Rajasthan State
 Functions of the Department
 Devasthan department manages the temples, religious and charitable institutions, Dharmshalas,
shrines (muths), inherited from the rulers of the erstwhile princely states at the time of their merger
in to the Union of India .
 Department regulates Public Trusts, Registered under the Rajasthan Public Trust Act 1959.
 Devasthan department provides cash grant in aid and Annuity to temples and other Religious and
Charitable institutions.
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 Functions of the Department (cont.)
 Releases subsidies to Kailash Mansarowar yatra pilgrims .
 Administration of Nathdwara and Sanwalia Ji Temples.(Under the Acts)
 Department organizes religious and cultural activities in Govt. Temples and also encourages,
supports various Utsavs, Fair, Yagya organized for religious and charitable purposes.
 Department task includes preserving and encouraging temple culture, publishing materials related
to major temples and religious places for the public and also preserves archives, to encourage
religious tourism and pilgrimage.
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Administrative Set – Up
At Secretariat Level
1- Addl. Chief Secretary
2- Dy. Secretary
At Department Level
Commissioner, Devasthan Department, Rajasthan ,Udaipur
At Divisional Level
11 Offices of Astt. Commissioners at Jaipur I, Jaipur II, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur,
Kota, Bharatpur, Vrindavan (U.P.), Rishabhdev, Ajmer & Hanumangarh.
At District Level
5 Inspector Offices: Alwar, Karauli, Banswara, Bundi & Dholpur.
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Classification Of Departmental
Temples/ Institutions
Govt. Direct Charge
These Temples and Institutions are managed through Govt. Budget.
In Year 2012-13 for these type of temples total approved budget was
Rs.2351.35 Lacs.
Govt. Self Supporting
These Temples and Institutions are managed by Devasthan Deptt. by the
temples earnings.
In Year 2012-13 for these type of temples total approved budget
was Rs. 874.63 Lacs.
390
204
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Details of Temples
Total No. Temples
/Institutions
Govt. Supurdagi Category
These Institutions and Temples were established by the
erstwhile rulers and later they were handed over to
Mahants and Pujaries for their management.
342
Dharamshalas -
9
Grant-In-Aid Temples -
10009
Annuity Temples -
48466
Public Trusts -
7550
Some of the above Temples/ Institutions are located out of Rajasthan at U.P. (26), U.Kh.(6),
Delhi (1), Maharashtra (7) and Gujarat (1).
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Part II
Action Plan for 60 Days
1
To organize special cultural festivals in selected major temples.
2
Performing special Pooja-Archana in selected 108 temples/religious places.
3
To start preparation of development plan in I or 2 selected temples/religious places in
each district.
4
To organize tour programmes for remaining selected applicants under the scheme,
Varisth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana 2013.
5
Constitution of Aadi Shankaracharya Board.
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Formation of a corporation to organize religious Yatras within Rajasthan State.
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To start cleaning, white washing and painting etc. in major temples of Devasthan
Department.
8
To make appointments on the vacant posts of Pujaris, Sevagirs and Managers after
organizing a competitive exam.
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Action plan of Sanwliya ji Temple Board for 60 days.
10
To send proposals of strengthening the Devasthan Department at the competent
level.
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1- To organize special cultural festivals in selected big
temples.
 This resolution is also mentioned in point no.17 of the title Tourism of “Suraj Sankalp 2013”.
 Organizing of special Religious/Cultural festivals on a large scale in each districts in selected one or
two temples.
 Ensuring public participation in the above festivals by inviting religious minded persons, artists &
renowned persons of the State.
 For the execution of the above proposals for sanction of Rs. 35.00 lacs have been sent to the finance
department.
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2- Performing special Pooja-Archana in selected
108 temples/religious places.
 For peace, happiness and prosperity of public at large & overall development of the state,
organizing special Pooja & prayers at religious and holy places of all religious by the new
government as in its’ earlier tenure.
 In the above programme Temples, Mosque, Gurudwaras and Monastries (Muths) and
holy places of all religions are being included.
 Budget exists for this activity in the department.
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3- To prepare development plan in 1 or 2 selected
temples/religious places in each district.
 Suraj
Sankalp – 2013 bears the resolution for a special plan for Mangarh Dham,
Tripura Sundari, Ramdevra, Tannot, Nathdwara, Sanwaliyaji, Pushkar, Sahwa, Budhajohad, Ajmer Dargah Sharif, Nakodaji, Sri Mahavirji, Kaila Devi, Mehandipur Balaji,
Diggi- Kalyanji, Beneshwar Dham and other such pilgrim centres.
 Commencing of detailed development plan with the selected of 1 or 2 temples from
each district.
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Photos of Mandir Shri Mehandipur Balaji
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4- To conduct Pilgrimage Tours for the left outs
Applicants under the Scheme
Varishth Nagrik Teerth Yatra Yojana-2013
 In Suraj Sankalp 2013, at page 24 point no 26 this is mentioned, M.P. and Chattisgarh State
already have this scheme for senior Citizens.
 Under this scheme, Senior Citizens(60 years or more) of Rajasthan State can go once in

their life time to the Religious Destinations outside the State as mentioned in the scheme at
Govt. expense.
The Selected Teerth Yatra 11 Destinations includes Jagannath puri, Rameshwaram,
Vaishno devi, Tirupati, Gaya -Kashi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Bihar Sharif, Sammed – Shikhar, Goa
(church) and Dwarika puri.
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 Under this scheme so far 42 Trains by IRCTC have benefited more than 39,265
pilgrims and total expenditure incurred on this is Rs. 5478 lacs (Average
expense per passenger is Rs.13,500 )
 Under 60 Days Plan, in January Four Trains to Rameshwaram are planned in
which 4000 passengers will be benefited and in February around 6000
passengers who were absent at their previous time of journey will be benefited.
This scheme has received wide applause through-out the state.
 Additional Rs. 8 cr. will be required for the above mentioned pilgrimage.
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5- Constitution of ADI SHANKARACHARYA
BOARD :
 Suraj Sankalp-2013 resolves constitution of “Adi Shankaracharya Board for
education in Astrology, Religious Ceremonies & Rituals ( Karmkand), Ayurveda etc.
 Preparation of an outline of the constitution of this Board along with its activities
and Submission of the same at competent level would be taken up in 60 days.
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6. Formation of a corporation to organize religious
Yatras within Rajasthan State.
 Suraj Sankalp-2013 (page 24/point 26) resolves for a special plan for organizing
pilgrimages within the State and the Country.
 Such religious tours within the state may be conducted via special bus services.
 It is proposed to constitute a Religious Tourism Corporation in the next 60 days. The main
function would be to encourage religious tourism within the State & the County. Senior
officers of tourism, Devasthan, RTDC. Transport etc. could be included in this corporation.
Preparation of an outline of the constitution of this Board is proposed to be undertaken in the
60 Days work plan.
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7- Ensuring cleanliness, whitewash & Paint in the major
temples of the Department. :
 Selection
of 108 temples each from the two catefories of Govt.Direct Charge & Self
Supported temples & ensuring cleanliness, whitewash. Paint & power supply to improve the
‘Darshan-system’ for the pilgrims.

Proposals for budget provision of Rs. 21.60 lacs has been sent to the Finance Department
for Govt. Direct Charge Temples while the Department has funds for the Govt. Self supported
Temples.
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8- Appointment of Pujaris, Sevagirs & Managers
on the Vacant posts of the Department after
conducting Recruitment exam for the same.
 This recruitment process is being undertaken after 25 years.
 In the 390 Govt. Direct Charge Temples of Devasthan Department posts have been
created for Managers, pujaries & Sevagirs for arrangement & Seva-Puja.
 The recruitment process for 7 posts of Manager Grade-II, 47 posts of Pujaris & 11 post
of Sevagirs has started.
 Recruitment on these vacant post is being done by an exam being conducted by
Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur on February 2, 2014
 It is proposed to issue appointment letters to the successful candidates as a part of 60
Days Work Plan.
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Sanwalia Ji Mandfiya, Chittorgarh
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9- 60 Days Action Plan of Sanwalia Ji Mandir
 Out of approved Budget of Rs.4210.06 Lacs, till December 2013 Rs. 3779.50 lacs
have been spent.
 In next 60 days, Corridor work of the temple which is in final & finishing stage
will be accelerated and completed.
 In Sanwalia Ji GaushalaTinshade work in progress. Out of total cost Rs. 63.79
lacs, till december Rs. 41.00 lacs is the expenditure. This work will be completed
in next 60 days and structure will put to use.
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Photographs of Sanwalia Ji Mandir
Extension Works
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10- Preparation of proposals for Strengthening of the
Department for Approval at the Competent Level :
 The
Devasthan Department through its officers & employees is engaged in the total
management of Direct Charge & Self Dependent Temples & Institutions which includes
Seva- Puja & management of their properties.
 The Department also manages & maintains 41 properties outside the State viz. 26 in Uttar
Pradesh, 6 in Uttarakhand, 1 in Delhi, 7 in Maharashtra & 1 in Gujrat.
 The work of maintainence & upkeep of the temples is also undertaken by the Technical
Staff of Devasthan Department. Earlier only 50% budget outlays for repair, maintenance and
construction could be utilized for want of technical staff.
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 Presently the Department is also conducting the ‘Varishta Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojna’
 The Department has very limited resources, It also register, inspects & monitors
functioning of Public Trusts.
 In Budget 2010-11, 34 posts were sanctioned in the name of Strengthening of
department, which is grossly inadequate.
 There is a need for creation of more than 300 posts, it is proposed to send proposals for
the same under 60 days work plan.
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Part-III
Important Works to be Undertaken By The Department in
the next 5 years
1- Improved Management of Devasthan Temples & Major Temples
Of the State:
 Devasthan Department manages 600 Direct charge, self supported Temples. There
are many major temples in the State where pilgrims congregate in large numbers.
Some such important temples are; Govind Dev Ji, Mehandipur Balaji, Khatushyam Ji,
Brahma Ji Pushkar, KelaDevi etc.
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 At many places there is a total lack of parking, cleanliness, market and darshan related
system, for which grievances & demand for improvement and augmentation of facilities are
received & Devasthan Department is presently unable to fulfill this role.
 In many South Indian States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu etc. Major
temples are run through public participation. Hence, on the same lines for increased public
participations, it is proposed to constitute district level committees or committees for major
temples for improvement in the system. A few of the major temples could be brought under
special enactments on the pattern of Sanwaliaji.
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2- Registration of Public Trusts
 There are many charitable & Religious Institutions and Trusts, registered under the Society Act
viz “ Khole Ke Hanuman Ji” Jaipur.
 Under the Rajasthan Society Act 1958 institutions operating under no profit and no loss should be
registered. Religious and charitable activities need to be run by public trust registered under the
Rajasthan Public Trust Act.
 Such institutions and Temples are present in large numbers. Therefore their registration under
Rajasthan Public Trust Act 1959 is mandatory. Presently 7750 Temples and Institutions are
registered under this Act.
 It is proposed to register these wrongly registered temples etc. under the Rajasthan Public Trust
Act 1959
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3- Execution Of Suraj Sankalp Yojna-2013
 Constitution of Adi Shankaracharya Board.
Preparation of Temple Town Act.
Construction of covered pathways with plantations along the roads leading to holy places for
pilgrims.
Establishment of town dedicated to great saints for dissemination of information related to
their teachings and life.
Integrated development of various pilgrim centres.
Preparation of scheme for conducting pilgrimages to various religious places in the Country.
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NATHDWARA TEMPLE BOARD, NATHDWARA
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4. Nathdwara Temple
TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PHASE-I, NATHDWARA
 Total amount of Rs. 51.00 Crores was sanctioned for the work, expenditure incurred so far is Rs.37.50
Crores.
 This is a five storey building. The Ground & First Floor of the building is being constructed to provide
facilities like Waiting-Halls, Toilets with Lockers etc. Other three stories are for facilities of Vaishnavs
and other uses.

At present the building is at its final finishing stage.
 During coming 60 days the progress of work will be expedited to complete the finishing works of
Ground and First Floor.
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TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PHASE-II, NATHDWARA
 Total sanctioned amount is, Rs. 20.00 Crores and the expenditure incurred so far is
Rs.13.38 Crores.
 This is four storey building. All the Floors of the building are constructed for use of SevaDepartments.
 At present the structure for three stories is complete and fourth floor work is in progress.
 During coming 60 days the progress of work will be expedited.
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TEMPLE DEVLOPMENT PROJECT PHASE-I & II
Photos
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5- COMPUTERIZATION OF THE DEPT. AND PREPARING THE DATA BASE
 Computerization of the Devasthan Department and preparing the database about properties and
agricultural land of the temples managed by the devasthan department.
6- REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF DHARMSHALAS.
 Department will repair & maintain old Dharmshalas under control of the dept. and construct
new Dharmshalas at various places like Banaras, Dwarika, Badrinath, Uttrakhand etc.
7- RESOLUTION OF MANDIR MAFI ISSUES.
 There are thousands of disputes about Mandir Mafi land in the state which shall have to be
resolved.
8- RENT POLICY
 Around 2000 of tenants are under the temples of Devasthan Dept., new rent policy is required.
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9- SUPURDAGI POLICY
 342 Temples were handed over to Mahants and Pujaries to manage the temples by old rulers, a
management policy is to be prepared. For new supurdagies of direct charge and self supporting
temples to suitable Trust, bodies etc.
10- MINING POLICY
 There are many types of mineral s in temple lands. New policy is to be prepared to lease out temple
lands on surface rent through a transparent process.
11- TO PREPARE DEVASTHAN CALENDER
 Preparing a calendar for festivals , fairs etc. in the temples being managed by the Dept.
12- FIXING OF BELLS AT VARIOUS IMPORTANT TEMPLES AND RELIGIOUS
PLACES.
13- COMPLETION OF REMAINING WORK OF TEMPLE SHRI PIPANAND JI
JHALAWAR.
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Thanks
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