Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Gujarat High Court Ends Danta Royal Family's Ashtami Puja Privilege at Ambaji Temple
The Gujarat High Court recently made a big decision about the Ambaji Temple.
The royal family of Danta used to have special rights to worship at the temple on a certain day and keep other people out.
But the court said no, the temple belongs to the goddess, not the royal family.
The court also said everyone should be treated equally and no one should be stopped from entering the temple.
The royal family might take this to the Supreme Court because they think their traditions are important.
Some people agree with the court, while others think the royal family's traditions should have been kept.
The Gujarat High Court ruled that the Ambaji Temple is owned by the goddess and managed by a public trust, not the Danta royal family.
The court terminated the royal family's privilege to worship on the eighth day of Navratri and restrict devotee entry.
The court upheld the 2008 Banaskantha court verdict and dismissed the royal family's appeal.
The court cited Article 363 of the Constitution, which prevents challenging merger agreements, and Articles 25 and 26, which guarantee religious freedom and equality.
The royal family may appeal to the Supreme Court, and the verdict has sparked mixed reactions among the public.
- Who
- The Danta royal family and the Ambaji Temple trust
- What
- A dispute over the ownership of the Ambaji Temple and the royal family's worship privileges
- When
- The dispute has been ongoing since pre-independence, with the latest verdict on December 24, 2023
- Where
- Ambaji Temple in Gujarat, India
- Why
- The royal family claimed ownership of the temple and sought to maintain their traditional worship privileges, while the trust argued for equal treatment of all devotees
- Temple
- Shaktipeeth Ambaji Temple
- Dispute
- Ownership and worship privileges
- Royal Family
- Danta royal family
- Court Verdict
- Terminated royal family's privilege and upheld public trust
- Key Dates
- 1934, 1937, 1948, 1957, 2008, 2023
- Legal Basis
- Article 363 of the Constitution, Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution
- Current Management
- Public trust under Shri Ambaji Mata Devasthan
- Privilege Terminated
- Worship on the eighth day of Navratri and restricting devotee entry