Mathura | October 19, 2025 — The long-locked Toshkhana (treasury room) of the Banke Bihari temple in Mathura was opened on Saturday after 54 years, following directions from a high-powered interim committee constituted by the Supreme Court. The Toshkhana, located adjacent to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, had been inaccessible since 1971.

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Supreme Court Committee Orders Opening

In August 2025, the Supreme Court constituted a 12-member high-powered interim committee, headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Ashok Kumar, to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the temple. The committee is tasked with ensuring smooth management of temple operations, particularly to facilitate devotees’ darshan.

Under the supervision of a civil judge of the junior division, the Toshkhana was opened between 1 pm and 5 pm.

“There was some difficulty in opening the room. The process started at 1 pm and was finished at 5 pm, when the room was sealed again. Some brass utensils and wooden items were found, and no precious metal was found. Some boxes and wooden boxes were also found,” said ADM Dr. Pankaj Kumar Verma.

The auditor’s team has since completed an inventory of the items discovered inside. Most of the process has been completed, though Dr. Verma noted that the room may be reopened on a future date determined by the civil judge for completion of the remaining work.

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Opposition from Goswami Community

The move to open the Toshkhana faced opposition from the Goswami community, a key temple stakeholder. Shailendra Goswami, a member of the high-powered committee, said the room should not have been opened.

“I have opposed the move and even wrote letters. This is an interim committee, not a permanent one; the Honourable Supreme Court constituted it to ensure facilitation of darshans to devotees only. The committee should not interfere elsewhere. They are taking undue advantage and usurping authority. Why are they opening the room, and what do they want to prove?”

Echoing the concerns, Supreme Court lawyer and temple sewayat Sumit Goswami added that the interim committee was not empowered to open the Toshkhana and should focus solely on devotees’ needs. He also criticized the lack of live streaming during the opening process.

Shailendra Goswami, however, stated that videography was indeed conducted. Another committee member, Srivardhan Goswami, was absent due to health reasons.

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Concerns About Transparency

The opening of the Toshkhana has raised wider concerns regarding transparency and adherence to the Supreme Court’s directives. Gyanendra Goswami, a temple functionary, criticized the committee for not allowing media coverage and for straying from its primary objective of improving facilities for devotees.

“The committee forgot the prime objective laid by the honourable apex court during its formation, which is to upgrade the facility for devotees,” he said, stressing that the process should have been more transparent.

The tension highlights the delicate balance between judicial oversight and the community’s traditional authority over the temple.

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Historical Context of the Toshkhana

The Toshkhana of the Banke Bihari temple has remained sealed for more than five decades, preserving a collection of religious artifacts and items associated with temple rituals. The decision to open it now, under court supervision, aims to audit and document these historical and ritual objects while ensuring compliance with legal and administrative guidelines.

The move also underscores ongoing efforts to modernize temple administration in alignment with Supreme Court directives while balancing tradition, community interests, and public accountability.

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Next Steps

The high-powered interim committee is expected to continue its work under judicial oversight. The items catalogued from the Toshkhana will likely inform future decisions regarding temple administration and archival preservation. Additional sessions for completing the opening process are anticipated, with the civil judge scheduling subsequent inspections to ensure all procedural requirements are met.

Meanwhile, the Goswami community has reiterated its demand for full transparency and adherence to the Supreme Court’s original objectives, emphasizing that the committee should prioritize the ease and convenience of devotees over administrative experimentation.