Nashik: Trimbakeshwar Purohits Allege Devotees Being Cheated Through Online Ritual Advertisements

Nashik: The Trimbakeshwar Purohits’ Association has complained to the police about devotees being defrauded through deceptive advertisements on social media platforms. These advertisements claim to offer religious rituals at low prices, but the association blames unauthorized purohits from outside Trimbakeshwar for this alleged malpractice.

The association demands immediate action against these elements, alleging that devotees are financially exploited in the name of performing religious rituals. The Trimbakeshwar pilgrimage site, a major religious destination attracting devotees from across the nation, has traditionally relied on its local purohit community to maintain religious customs and manage pilgrimages.

However, recent complaints have emerged about unauthorized purohits from outside the area approaching devotees, falsely promising religious rituals while allegedly collecting large sums of money. The Purohits’ Association president, Manoj Thete, and other executive committee members submitted the memorandum to the Inspector of Trimbakeshwar Police Station.

This is the second complaint filed by the association within a two-month period regarding this issue. The alleged fraudulent advertisements lack transparency about who will perform the rituals, where they will be conducted, and which procedures will be followed. This lack of transparency, according to the association, leads to devotees being misled and cheated financially.