Steel railings installed at Banke Bihari Temple to manage crowds, curb informal donations

Agra: Steel railings have been installed at Banke Bihari Temple in a bid to regulate crowds and prevent devotees from stopping midway to offer garlands or make donations outside designated channels. The new system, aimed at streamlining footfall and ensuring offerings reach the temple treasury, was implemented under the supervision of the temple management committee.The work began earlier this week, with a private agency placing railings from entry gate number 3, through the rear courtyard, and up to the slope leading to the main courtyard. On Saturday, devotees entering through the new arrangement reported smoother movement and quicker darshan.Officials said three parallel railings had been installed along this stretch. Given the high footfall during the day, construction was being carried out at night to avoid disruptions.A member of the temple administration said the full layout, once completed from entry to exit, would ensure that devotees walk directly through the designated path without halting to offer prasad, dakshina or garlands. Donation boxes, or golaks, would be placed along the railings so offerings could be deposited directly."Earlier, donations were often given to sevayats along with prasad, which did not always reach the temple treasury," the official added.