The Swaminarayan temple attack in Ohio damaged windows at Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham in Richmond Heights while priests and devotees were inside. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage as Hindu groups call for an investigation. A Hindu temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was attacked with bricks on Friday, October 2, 2026, shattering windows while priests and devotees were inside, according to Hindu advocacy organizations. The in

US temples sponsoring Hindu priests under R-1 rules should verify their own nonprofit eligibility, the priest's denominational membership and qualifications, religious duties, work hours, compensation and work location before filing Form I-129. US temples planning to sponsor a Hindu priest should review both the temple's eligibility and the priest's qualifications before filing an R-1 petition. The process requires documentation about the relig

US temples can provide priests with housing, room and board, stipends and other support. For R-1 workers, USCIS requires the compensation arrangement to be documented, while IRS rules determine whether housing and other benefits are excluded from income or taxable. Hindu temples in the United States may provide priests with accommodation, food, stipends and other living support instead of—or in addition to—a conventional salary. For priests

Are dakshina and Hindu priest payments taxable in the US? IRS rules generally treat compensation for religious services as taxable income. Temple salary, direct ceremony payments, self-employment tax and qualifying housing allowances can follow different rules. Payments made to Hindu priests in the United States can be taxable even when described as dakshina, honorarium or offerings. For federal tax purpo

A temple volunteer is not automatically an employee under U.S. law. Genuine unpaid religious service is generally permitted at nonprofits, but regular duties, expected compensation or replacing paid workers can change the analysis. Visa holders also face separate immigration rules. Indian temples across the United States often depend on volunteers for festivals, kitchens, religious programs, administration and community events. But when does un

An R-1 Hindu priest can potentially work for two temples in the United States, but approval from one temple does not automatically authorize employment with another. Federal rules require each additional qualifying religious employer to obtain authorization for the worker. A Hindu priest in R-1 religious worker status can potentially work for two temples in the United States. However, approval to work for

Can an R-1 Hindu priest perform private pujas for money in the USA? A home ceremony is not automatically prohibited, but R-1 workers cannot freely take independent paid work. The sponsoring employer, approved duties, work locations and payment arrangement can determine whether the work is authorized. Hindu priests in the United States are often invited to homes for weddings, housewarmings, Satyanarayana p

The R-1 visa allows qualifying Hindu priests and other religious workers to work temporarily for eligible U.S. religious organizations. Key requirements include two years of denominational membership, an approved employer petition and at least 20 hours of religious work weekly. The R-1 visa for Hindu priests allows qualifying religious workers to serve temporarily at eligible religious or

Can a Hindu priest work a second job in the USA? Citizens and green card holders generally have broad employment rights, but priests in R-1 religious worker status face specific restrictions on employers, job duties and outside secular work. A Hindu priest working in the United States may or may not be able to take a second job. The key factor is not the person's religious role itself, but their U.S. immigration and employment status

Ram temple trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra, a retired Indian Air Force officer, has been appointed to lead administration in Ayodhya. His selection followed 5,585 applications as the Trust strengthens governance, financial oversight and long-term temple management. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time CEO on September 2, 2026, placing a veteran military

The SIT investigating alleged irregularities in donations received by the Ram temple trust is likely to submit an interim status report to the Supreme Court on Monday, July 20, 2026. The team may also seek additional time to complete the investigation and recommend administrative reforms. SIT Interim Report Expected Before Supreme Court The Special Investigation Team examining alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janm

Tirupati temple donations reached a record Rs 96.98 crore in 24 hours as 2,460 devotees contributed before TTD’s revised donor policy took effect. The rush was driven by the end of lifetime privileges, shorter benefit periods and new digital darshan rules. Record Donations Before New Policy Deadline Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams collected a record Rs 96.98 crore in donations within 24 hours on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as devotees rushe

The Peterborough Hindu temple operated by Bharat Hindu Samaj is challenging the city council’s proposed property sale in the UK High Court. Trustees argue that the bidding process was unlawful and could leave the area’s Hindu community without a suitable place of worship. A Hindu temple in Peterborough, England, has asked the UK High Court to overturn the city council’s proposed sale of its long-standing property to an Islamic organizati

The Ayodhya SIT probe into the alleged Ram temple donation theft has identified serious weaknesses in donation counting, employee monitoring, cash auditing and physical security. Investigators believe repeated violations of established procedures left the system vulnerable to alleged financial misconduct. Ayodhya SIT Probe Identifies Security Lapses The Special Investigation Team examining alleged irregularitie

TTD has suspended VIP break darshan on select days from July 14 to September 23 for major temple rituals and festivals, including Brahmotsavams. TTD suspends VIP break darshan on key festival days The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has announced the suspension of VIP break darshan on several important ritual and festival days between July 14 and September 23, 2026, at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirumala. The restrictions are being introduced to facil

The Karnataka Congress has stepped up its attack on the BJP leadership over the controversy surrounding alleged theft and financial irregularities linked to donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. At its general body meeting, the state Congress adopted a resolution demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing them of bearing moral responsibility for t

The alleged donation theft controversy surrounding the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has reopened an old and politically sensitive debate over who should manage some of India’s most prominent temples. As questions are raised about accountability and security at the shrine, attention has once again turned to an episode from more than four decades ago, when a major theft at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi eventually led to a complete change in its admin

Ayodhya, July 6, 2026: The Ram Mandir Trust meeting began inside the temple complex on Monday to discuss the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra amid the ongoing SIT probe into alleged donation irregularities. The meeting comes at a crucial moment for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as trustees review the donation-box accounting controversy, the preliminary fin

More than 130 Hindu Americans gathered on Capitol Hill for CoHNA Advocacy Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026, using the U.S. 250th anniversary to highlight civic participation, religious freedom and concerns over anti-Hindu hate. The fifth annual advocacy day, organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America, brought participants from 15 states to Washington, D.C. Delegates included students, veterans, entrepreneurs, researchers and community

Ram Mandir Donation Theft Accused Reveals Washroom Cash Trail The investigation into the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case has taken a serious turn after one of the arrested accused allegedly told police that stolen cash was temporarily hidden inside washrooms before being moved out of the temple complex. According to police sources, Avinash Shukla was questioned for nearly two hours on Tuesday after investigators receive