Halwasiya Dharamshala, Badrinath
Halwasiya Dharamshala, Badrinath

Halwasiya Dharamshala, Badrinath

Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Dhramshala was constructed at Badrinath by Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust. The Halwasiya Dhramshala was built under an agreement with Baba Kali Kamli Wala Panchayet Kshetra dated 7th November 1972. Under an Agreement it was decided that the entire Dharmshala will be constructed by Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust at their own expenses.

Baba Kali Kamli Wala Panchayet Kshetra is a public charitable society established in the year 1937. It is registered under Society registration Act section 21 of 1860. It’s purpose is to provide comfortable living arrangement for pilgrims doing religious pilgrimage to the Char Dham namely Badrinath, KedarNath, Gangotri and Yamnotri. they have their head office at Stephen House, Room No.7, First Floor, 4, B. B. D. Bag Kolkata 700001. Their motto is apparently निस्वार्थ सेवा (Selfless Service)

In the year 1972 the Kshetra approached Late Babu Shyam Sundarji Halwasiya and Late Babu Purushottam Dassji Halwasiya about the problems pilgrim where facing at Badrinath. There was no proper arrangement for the yatris making pilgrims to Badrinath to stay. Moreover as it was a difficult trek on foot from Joshimath. A devout Vaishnav Late Babu Shyam Sundaji Halwasiya and late Babu Purushottam Dassji Halwasiya took Heart to the plights of the Pilgrim and decided to provide as much help as they can provide

Representative of Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra informed Late Babu Shyam Sundaji Halwasiya and late Babu Purushottam Dassji Halwasiya about two plots No. 462 and 463 held by them for the purpose of constructing a Dhramshala. Since, there were no proper transportation available it was being difficult for them to construct the dhramshalaAn agreement was reached between the members of Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra and Trustees of Rai Bahdur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust to develop a dhramshala with all available aminities were the pilgrims can stay and comfortably complete there pious pilgrimage. The points of the agreement were simple and straight-forward keeping the fledgling society in mind. However, since completion of the construction Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra have time and again flouted the simple terms of agreement

The terms of the Agreement were simple and straightforward

  • That the construction of the said Dharsmahala shall be completed by the “TRUST” according to its convenience and provision and after completion of the construction, the same shall be handed over to the “KSHETRA” for running and/or managing the said Dharamshala
  • That after handing over the construction to the “KSHETRA”, the right of ownership shall vest in the “KSHETRA”. That the name of Dharamshala shall, however, be “BISSESSUBLAL MOTILAL HALWASIYA DHARAMSHALA” and would continue to be so for ever
  • That after handing over the construction to the “KSHETRA”, all expense pertaining to maintenance and/or running of the said Dhramshala, repairs, taxes and/or imposition of whatsoever nature shell, entirely, be borne by the “KSHETRA” and the “TRUST” shall, in no way , be liable for any sort of expenses.
  • That in case any additions and/or alterations to the said Dharmshala is required in future, the same shall only be done by the “Kshetra” at its cost, but with the prior written permission of the “TRUST”.
  • That there shall always be at least one Nominee of the “TRUST” to the Managing Committee and/or in any other Committee or Body by name formed for the purpose of managing and/or running and/or maintaining the said Dharamshala
  • That the “KSHETRA” shall always honour the recommendation of the “TRUST” and/or give priority to the recommends of the *TRUST” in the matter of accommodation and/or stay in the said Dharamshala of the pilgrims and/or any visitor.

The Copy of the full agreement could be found here

The Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Dhramshala was the first pilgrim rest-house of Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra which charged a nominal donation for staying at the rest-house and it was done on request of Late Babu Shyam Sundarji Halwasiya and Late Babu Purushottam Dassji Halwasiya so that the Kshetra did not have any financial trouble in maintaining and/or repairing the Rest-House.

However, for unknown reasons the Kshetra deliberately started to violate the terms of the agreement the situation has become so bad that they have abandoned the path of selfless service to follow Selfish service. They began by refusing to stop giving a place to stay to the pilgrims recommended by Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust despite accepting That the “KSHETRA” shall always honour the recommendation of the “TRUST” and/or give priority to the recommends of the *TRUST” in the matter of accommodation and/or stay in the said Dharamshala of the pilgrims and/or any visitor.

Things first took a turn for worst when, on Various occasion the Trust was informed by the pilgrims visiting Badrinathji Temple about non -maintenance of the Rest-House which the Trust on various occasion brought in light to Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra. It was as good as talking to a deaf person. When the matter escalated the Trust requested a copy of income and expenditure to be shared to the Trust which they plainly refused to submit stating that Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra is the sole owner of the property

Baba Kali Kamliwala Pachayat Kshetra is the sole owner of the property and the financial statement is not submit able to anyone except the management comittee

Naval Kishore Kajaria Letter dated 01-11-2002 Full letter can be found here

It was very convenient for them to forget about the point in the agreement stating that That there shall always be at least one Nominee of the “TRUST” to the Managing Committee and/or in any other Committee or Body by name formed for the purpose of managing and/or running and/or maintaining the said Dharamshala and Baba Kali Kamliwala has not ever kept that part of the agreement with The Trust and they even refuse to share the financial statement pertaining to the Dhramshala

The arrogance of Baba Kali Kamliwal Panchayat Kshetra have grown so much that they refused to change the delipidated photos of the Founder Rai Bahadur Bissessurlalji Halwasiya and his Brother Late Babu Motilalji Halwasiya and refused to hang new photos of Late Babu Shyam sundarji Halwasiya and Late Babu Purushottam Dassji Halwasiya in the Dhramshala

It is not know if we have received the Photos or not and It is not possible to put new images. Changing of old images is not possible

Mohanlal Jhavar letter dated 21-02-2007 Full Letter can be found here

The selfishness of Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra turn worst when they out right began to misguide in the name of charity. Despite their reneging on their agreement maintenance and/or running of the said Dhramshala, repairs, taxes and/or imposition of whatsoever nature shell, entirely, be borne by the “KSHETRA” and the “TRUST” shall, in no way , be liable for any sort of expenses. A letter date Feburary 7th 2019 was received from Devendra Kumar Jhunjhunwala requesting Rs. Fifteen lakhs for renovation and remodelling of the Halwasiya Dhramshala

Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayet Kshetra request your Trust to come forward and to bear the expenses on renovation and modification. On a rough estimate, the estimated cost will be around Rs.10- 15 Lacs. you can donate the actual cost subject to a ceiling of Rs.15 Lacs. If additional expenditure is required to be done, Baba Kali Kamliwala will do it. We hope, for the services of the pilgrims, you will kindly sanction such donation.

Devendra Kumar Jhunjhunwala letter dated 07-02-2019 Full letter can be found here

Despite it being the responsibility of Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra, that in case any additions and/or alterations to the said Dharmshala is required in future, the same shall only be done by the “Kshetra” at its cost, but with the prior written permission of the “TRUST”. They did-not maintain the property, they refused to honour any terms of the agreement and they were shameful enough to ask for more money from Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust. Furthermore they didnot even seek written permission from the Trust to make those changes

Despite all the mistrust generated by the Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayat Kshetra, Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust, decided to help the Kshetra out one more time so that the pilgrims may find comfortable place to stay in their yatra. The Trust decided to donate the entire 15 lacs asked by the Kshetra and gave them an advance of Rs. 800,000/- to get the work started which Devendra Kumar Jhunjhunwala in his letter dated 07-02-2019 assured will begin from April 2019.

Since then Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust was informally informed that they have abandoned their plans for renovation of Halwasiya Dhramshala and have also refused to refund the advance payment made to them for the purposes of renovation. there have been a complete blackout of communication from the Kshetra. It is disappointing and disheartening to see mockery being made of good intention in name of charity

In June 2021, The Kshetra refunded Rs. 8,00,000/- through a Bank cheque (subjected to clearing) to Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Motilal Halwasiya Trust.