Ayodhya: Only 20 Priests Handling Worship at Ram Temple Complex, No Additional Appointments Yet

Ayodhya: Preparations are underway to open around 15 temples within the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya for public darshan in March. However, the appointment of additional trained priests for regular worship has not yet been finalized. Currently, the temple trust’s priest training program has not started, and the daily pooja and rituals are being managed by a team of just 20 priests on a rotational basis.

According to sources, finishing touches and cleaning of the murals and interiors in the newly built temples within the complex are in their final stages. The temples will only be opened to devotees once this work is completed.

Current Worship Arrangements

At present, regular pooja is being conducted in six temples within the parikota, the Sheshavatar Temple, and the Lord Shiva temple at Kuber Tila. Of the 20 priests, four are senior priests who have been serving for over 30 years, while 16 are newly trained priests appointed after completing a training program run by the temple trust. Following the death of Chief Priest Satyendra Das, the position of chief priest has been abolished.

Senior Priests Dissatisfied Over Salary

Sources report that the four senior priests receive a monthly salary of approximately ₹37,000, whereas the 16 newly appointed priests, who completed a six-month training program, earn ₹42,000 per month. The senior priests have expressed dissatisfaction, noting that despite serving Lord Ram Lalla for over 35 years, their salaries remain lower than those of the new priests, even though the workload is similar.

Temple Trust Priest Training Program

The Ram Temple Trust launched the priest training program in December 2023. The first batch included 22 priests who completed six months of training, 16 of whom were deployed in the temple. Applications for the second batch were invited in June 2025, but the training has not yet started. In the future, if additional priests are required, only four trained priests from the first batch will be available.

Rotational Duty

All 20 priests are currently divided into two groups of 10, performing duties in rotation. They conduct pooja and rituals in a total of 10 temples, including Ram Lalla, Ram Darbar, six parikota temples, Sheshavatar Temple, and Lord Shiva Temple at Kuber Tila.

Training Standards

The six-month residential training is free and open to candidates aged 20–30 years who have completed five years of Gurukul education. Trainees receive a monthly stipend of ₹2,000. The program follows the Ramanandi tradition, providing hands-on experience in temple worship alongside theoretical training.