📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Dsrprj
Religion
Dhirendra Shastri Fires Back at Gold Khadaun Row, Threatens Diamond Upgrade
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 20 Sep 2026, 06:31 PM
👁 13
Baba Bageshwar head Dhirendra Shastri responded sharply to criticism over the golden khadaun, joking that the next one will be made of diamonds.
Baba Bageshwar’s chief priest, Dhirendra Shastri, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the installation of a gold khadaun at the shrine. In a candid statement, he dismissed the critics’ concerns, asserting that the matter was being handled on his terms.
Shastri’s remarks hinted at a possible escalation, as he warned that any future demand for a ceremonial seat would be met with a diamond version instead of gold. The comment was made during a press interaction in Madhya Pradesh, where he emphasized his authority over the shrine’s decisions.
The gold khadaun, intended as a symbolic offering, has drawn public scrutiny over its cost and relevance. While some devotees view it as a mark of reverence, others question the allocation of resources. Shastri’s response, blending humor with a firm stance, aims to defuse the debate while reinforcing his control over religious affairs.
No official statement from the temple’s management board has been released regarding the controversy or the priest’s comments. The issue remains a point of discussion among local residents and religious observers.
The episode underscores the delicate balance between tradition, financial prudence, and the expectations of a devout community in contemporary India.
Shastri’s remarks hinted at a possible escalation, as he warned that any future demand for a ceremonial seat would be met with a diamond version instead of gold. The comment was made during a press interaction in Madhya Pradesh, where he emphasized his authority over the shrine’s decisions.
The gold khadaun, intended as a symbolic offering, has drawn public scrutiny over its cost and relevance. While some devotees view it as a mark of reverence, others question the allocation of resources. Shastri’s response, blending humor with a firm stance, aims to defuse the debate while reinforcing his control over religious affairs.
No official statement from the temple’s management board has been released regarding the controversy or the priest’s comments. The issue remains a point of discussion among local residents and religious observers.
The episode underscores the delicate balance between tradition, financial prudence, and the expectations of a devout community in contemporary India.