Key Highlights

• A new chapter for the Trust: Swami Govind Dev Giri, newly elevated as General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, called the post an opportunity given by Lord Ram himself.
• New CEO steps in: Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra took charge as CEO on Friday and will begin work from Ayodhya next week after settling affairs at home.
• Trust gets new members: Mahesh Bhagchandka, Advocate Madan Mohan Pandey, and Nirmala Yadav were inducted into the Trust, with Bhagchandka named Treasurer.
• Rituals get a refresh: A first-ever 'jhula' for the deity during Janmashtami and revised 'aarti' protocols have drawn a positive response from devotees.
• Bigger plans ahead: The Trust will expand the 'Maa Sita Anna Kshetra' and has finalised daily 'Panch Devata Yajna' along with continuous 'Ram Naam' chanting at the temple.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, who has been elevated to General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Lord Ram for the opportunity to serve.

The transition behind this appointment: Swami Govind Dev Giri has been associated with the Trust since its founding in February 2020, when he was appointed its Treasurer. He now steps into the General Secretary role previously held by Champat Rai, who had overseen the temple's design, construction and January 2024 consecration ceremony before stepping down in June this year, citing moral responsibility after eight trust-employed counting staff were arrested over allegations of embezzlement of temple donations. A Special Investigation Team subsequently gave Rai a clean chit, and his resignation was formally accepted by the Trust at a meeting in July.

The seer said the Trust has introduced several changes to ritualistic practices at the temple and has planned an expansion of the "Mata Sita Rasoi Annakshetra."

Speaking to reporters, Swami Govind Dev Giri noted that the Trust's newly appointed CEO, Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra, took charge on Friday. "After making arrangements at his home, he will arrive here in four to five days, and will undertake his work from next week," he said, adding that the Trust's next meeting will be held on December 2.

"By the grace of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, our current meeting was extremely successful. In this meeting, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi, Advocate Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad were inducted into the Trust," he added. Bhagchandka has been appointed Trust Treasurer.

On his own appointment, Swami Govind Dev Giri said: "Through this post, Lord Ram has given me this opportunity to serve. It is a huge responsibility, and I believe that the Lord himself will provide me the strength to carry out the same. I am always prepared to serve the Lord in any way possible — even if it is in the form of a 'squirrel'." He expressed optimism that, with the support of Ayodhya's saints and people, the Trust would now function without issues.

Recalling the previous day's Janmashtami celebrations at the temple, he said: "For the first time, (an idol of) the deity was placed in a 'jhula' during the Janmashtami celebrations at the Ram Temple. Also, the devotees have shown a liking for the changes we have made to the 'aarti' ritual." Under the new arrangement, the temple's Hindu priests will continue performing the aarti inside the garbhagriha, while other priests will perform it outside.

He added that the Trust has finalised daily conduct of the "Panch Devata Yajna," alongside uninterrupted chanting of "Shree Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" throughout the day, and confirmed plans to expand the "Maa Sita Anna Kshetra."

Also Read: Ram Temple CEO: Panel to Submit Three Shortlisted Names Today

 Key Highlights

• A new chapter for the Trust: Swami Govind Dev Giri, newly elevated as General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, called the post an opportunity given by Lord Ram himself.
• New CEO steps in: Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra took charge as CEO on Friday and will begin work from Ayodhya next week after settling affairs at home.
• Trust gets new members: Mahesh Bhagchandka, Advocate Madan Mohan Pandey, and Nirmala Yadav were inducted into the Trust, with Bhagchandka named Treasurer.
• Rituals get a refresh: A first-ever 'jhula' for the deity during Janmashtami and revised 'aarti' protocols have drawn a positive response from devotees.
• Bigger plans ahead: The Trust will expand the 'Maa Sita Anna Kshetra' and has finalised daily 'Panch Devata Yajna' along with continuous 'Ram Naam' chanting at the temple.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, who has been elevated to General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Lord Ram for the opportunity to serve.

The transition behind this appointment: Swami Govind Dev Giri has been associated with the Trust since its founding in February 2020, when he was appointed its Treasurer. He now steps into the General Secretary role previously held by Champat Rai, who had overseen the temple's design, construction and January 2024 consecration ceremony before stepping down in June this year, citing moral responsibility after eight trust-employed counting staff were arrested over allegations of embezzlement of temple donations. A Special Investigation Team subsequently gave Rai a clean chit, and his resignation was formally accepted by the Trust at a meeting in July.

The seer said the Trust has introduced several changes to ritualistic practices at the temple and has planned an expansion of the "Mata Sita Rasoi Annakshetra."

Speaking to reporters, Swami Govind Dev Giri noted that the Trust's newly appointed CEO, Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra, took charge on Friday. "After making arrangements at his home, he will arrive here in four to five days, and will undertake his work from next week," he said, adding that the Trust's next meeting will be held on December 2.

"By the grace of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, our current meeting was extremely successful. In this meeting, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi, Advocate Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad were inducted into the Trust," he added. Bhagchandka has been appointed Trust Treasurer.

On his own appointment, Swami Govind Dev Giri said: "Through this post, Lord Ram has given me this opportunity to serve. It is a huge responsibility, and I believe that the Lord himself will provide me the strength to carry out the same. I am always prepared to serve the Lord in any way possible — even if it is in the form of a 'squirrel'." He expressed optimism that, with the support of Ayodhya's saints and people, the Trust would now function without issues.

Recalling the previous day's Janmashtami celebrations at the temple, he said: "For the first time, (an idol of) the deity was placed in a 'jhula' during the Janmashtami celebrations at the Ram Temple. Also, the devotees have shown a liking for the changes we have made to the 'aarti' ritual." Under the new arrangement, the temple's Hindu priests will continue performing the aarti inside the garbhagriha, while other priests will perform it outside.

He added that the Trust has finalised daily conduct of the "Panch Devata Yajna," alongside uninterrupted chanting of "Shree Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram" throughout the day, and confirmed plans to expand the "Maa Sita Anna Kshetra."

Also Read: Ram Temple CEO: Panel to Submit Three Shortlisted Names Today