Because the Diwali budget has not been released, preparations at roughly 460 temples across the state could be hampered, Congress leader Ashok Gahlot said

Gahlot wrote on his X account that the delay means only two litres of oil and 50 lamps are being provided for the five‑day deep‑daan, whereas normally more material is supplied

Budget status and impact

Rajasthan government earmarked about ₹1.25 lakh for Diwali celebrations, but the amount has not been released this year even as a six‑day Diwali festival is set to begin next week

According to the Devasthan department, the allocated amount covers special deity adornment, offerings, flower arrangements, deep‑daan, rangoli and annakoot programmes; a delay could affect these preparations

Criticism and local response

Ashok Gahlot said, "In the BJP‑run government, the budget for temple Diwali preparations has not been released, creating a crisis in the name of religion and faith." He also mocked that despite lighting 33 lakh lamps on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Rajasthan temples are stuck with a budget for only two litres of oil and 50 lamps

At district level, 32 state‑run directly‑administered temples in districts including Jaipur are also awaiting the budget, leaving priests and managers scrambling to gather required material in a short time

  • Budget provision: about ₹1.25 lakh
  • Number of affected temples: about 460
  • Materials available for deep‑daan: 2 litres of oil, 50 lamps