Policies & Terms

Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. General Principle

Donations made to the Trust are used for the restoration and preservation of the sacred shrines and temples of Bijbehara, and for other charitable objects as stated in the Trust Deed. Once applied to a project, funds cannot be recalled. However, the Trust will consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis as set out below.

2. Grounds for Refund

A refund may be considered in the following circumstances:

• Duplicate Payment: The same donation was processed more than once due to a technical error
• Wrong Amount: An amount significantly different from the intended amount was charged due to a technical error
• Unauthorised Transaction: The payment was made without the account holder's knowledge or consent
• Payment Gateway Error: Amount was debited but not credited to the Trust's account (payment in transit)
• Yatra Cancellation by Trust: If the Trust cancels a yatra or event for which registration fee was paid, a full refund will be issued

3. Non-Refundable Situations

• Change of donor's mind after a successful donation
• Voluntary donations made in good faith for a specific purpose
• Membership fees once a certificate has been issued
• Donations where the donor's stated purpose has already been acted upon
• Yatra registration cancellations made within 7 days of the event (unless Trust cancels)

4. How to Request a Refund

To request a refund, please follow this process:

1. Contact us within 15 calendar days of the transaction date
2. Email donations@vdtbijbehara.org with the subject line: "Refund Request — [Transaction ID]"
3. Provide: Full name, transaction ID, amount, date of transaction, bank/UPI details used, reason for refund request
4. Attach: Screenshot or proof of payment
5. The Trust will review and respond within 7 working days
6. Approved refunds will be processed within 10–15 working days to the original payment method

5. Refund Processing

• Bank Transfer/NEFT: Refunded to the originating bank account within 10–15 working days
• UPI: Refunded to the originating UPI ID within 5–7 working days
• Payment Gateway (PayU): Refunded to the originating card/account per PayU's timelines (typically 7–10 working days after approval)

6. Contact for Refunds

Donation Terms

By making a donation to Vijeshwar Devasthan Trust (Regd.), you agree to the following terms:

1. Nature of Donation

All donations are voluntary contributions to a registered religious, philosophical, and charitable trust. They are not payments for goods or services. Donations are used exclusively for:

• Restoration, maintenance, and preservation of Hindu shrines and temples of Bijbehara
• Organisation and conduct of the Annual Vijeshwar Yatra and other pilgrimages
• Construction of pilgrimage infrastructure (Yatra Niwas, rest stops, facilities)
• Heritage documentation and advocacy activities
• Administrative costs of the Trust (limited to what is reasonable and lawful)

2. Purpose-Specific Donations

If you donate for a specific purpose (e.g., "Chota Amarnath Restoration"), the Trust will make best efforts to apply funds to that purpose. However, if the specific project is completed, cancelled, or its scope changes, the Trust reserves the right to apply surplus funds to other Trust objectives as per the Trust Deed.

3. Receipts

An official donation receipt will be issued for every donation. This receipt will include:

• Donor's name and PAN (if provided)
• Donation amount and date
• Purpose of donation
• Trust name, registration details, and DARPAN number
• 80G status note (currently applied, awaiting approval)

4. 80G Tax Exemption

The Trust has applied for 80G tax exemption with the Income Tax Department. Until approval is granted, donations are not eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G. Upon receiving 80G approval, eligible donors will be notified and revised certificates will be issued where applicable.

5. Foreign Contributions

The Trust is not currently registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Donations from persons or organisations outside India are not accepted until FCRA registration is obtained. The Trust is in the process of evaluating FCRA registration.

6. Minimum Donation

The minimum online donation amount is ₹50. There is no maximum limit.

7. Payment Security

Online payments are processed through PayU (pending integration) — a PCI-DSS compliant payment gateway. The Trust does not store any card, UPI, or bank account details on its website. All financial data is handled by the payment processor.

Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing this website (vdtbijbehara.org) or making any donation or membership application, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use this website or our services.

2. About the Trust

3. Website Use

• This website is for informational, donation, and membership purposes related to the Trust's activities
• Content on this website (text, photos, documents) is the property of the Trust or used with permission
• You may not reproduce, distribute, or commercially use any content without prior written permission
• The Trust reserves the right to modify website content at any time without notice

4. Accuracy of Information

The Trust makes reasonable efforts to ensure information on this website is accurate and up to date. However, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of any information. Historical and religious information is sourced from published scholarly works and Trust records.

5. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Trust shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential losses arising from your use of this website
• Technical failures, downtime, or errors in the website
• Third-party payment processing issues
• Any loss arising from natural events affecting yatra or pilgrimage activities

6. Yatra Participation

• Yatra participation is entirely voluntary and at the participant's own risk
• The Trust makes reasonable arrangements for transport, accommodation, and safety
• Participants with medical conditions should obtain medical clearance before joining
• The Trust reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a yatra due to weather, security, or unforeseen circumstances
• In case of Trust-initiated cancellation, all paid registration fees will be fully refunded

7. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in the Anantnag District, J&K. For matters involving the Jammu office, Jammu District courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction.

8. Changes to Terms

The Trust reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes take effect upon posting on this page. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Grievance Redressal

1. Grievance Officer

2. Types of Grievances We Handle

• Donation not received / receipt not issued
• Refund not processed or delayed
• Membership certificate not received
• Incorrect information on receipt or certificate
• Yatra logistics complaints
• Privacy or data protection concerns
• Misuse or misappropriation concerns
• Website errors or accessibility issues
• Any other complaint relating to Trust activities

3. How to File a Grievance

1. Step 1: Email vijeshwar@vdtbijbehara.org with subject: "Grievance — [Your Name] — [Date]"
2. Step 2: Include: Your full name, contact details, nature of grievance, relevant transaction ID or reference number, and supporting documents
3. Step 3: The Grievance Officer will acknowledge your complaint within 48 hours (working days)
4. Step 4: A full response will be provided within 7 working days
5. Step 5: If not resolved to your satisfaction, the matter will be escalated to the Trust President within 15 working days
6. Step 6: Final resolution will be communicated within 30 working days of initial complaint

4. Escalation

If your grievance is not resolved within the stated timelines or to your satisfaction, you may escalate to:

• Trust President: Sh. Sanjay Kumar Tickoo — Contact through the same email
• For financial disputes: Approach the relevant banking ombudsman or consumer forum
• For legal disputes: Courts of Anantnag District, J&K have jurisdiction

5. Payment Gateway Disputes (PayU)

For disputes relating to online payment transactions processed through PayU (once integrated), you may also contact:

• PayU Grievance Cell: payu.in — their support team handles transaction-level disputes
• Your bank's customer care for any debit-side issues

Disclaimer

1. Religious Content

This website contains religious and historical information about Hindu temples, shrines, and sacred sites. This information is presented for educational, cultural, and heritage purposes. We respect all faiths and do not intend any disrespect to any community or individual.

2. Historical Information

Historical and mythological information on this website is sourced from published scholarly works including Kashmir: Shrines and Temples (Volumes 1, 2 and 3) by Chander M. Bhat, Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the Vijeshwara Mahatmya, and other verified sources. The Trust does not claim authorship of these original works.

3. No Medical Advice

Yatra participation information on this website is for organisational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Individuals with health conditions should consult their doctor before undertaking any pilgrimage.

4. External Links

This website may link to external websites (e.g., newspaper articles, government portals). The Trust is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of external websites.

5. Government Schemes

References to government DPRs, funding schemes, or archaeological surveys are based on publicly available information and statements by officials. The Trust makes no guarantee regarding the implementation or timelines of any government project.

6. 80G Disclaimer

The Trust has applied for 80G income tax exemption. Until official approval is communicated, 80G approval is currently pending from the Income Tax Department. Once approved, donors will be eligible to claim deductions and the Trust will promptly notify all donors.

Trust & Governance

Legal Registration

Board of Trustees

Bank Account (Authorised)

Annual Reporting

The Trust submits annual reports and financial statements as required by its registration conditions. Accounts are audited annually. Members and significant donors may request a copy of the annual report by writing to the General Secretary.

80G & Tax Exemption

Current Status

• Applied: Yes — application filed with Income Tax Department
• Approved: No — pending as of 30 March 2026
• Effect: 80G approval is pending; once granted, donors will be eligible to claim tax deductions on their returns
• Upon approval: All donors who received receipts from the Trust will be eligible; we will issue updated 80G certificates retrospectively where applicable

What is 80G?

Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 allows donors to claim a deduction of 50% of the donation amount from their taxable income, subject to qualifying limits, when donating to approved charitable organisations. The Trust's application is for this approval.

How We Will Notify You

When 80G approval is received, the Trust will:

1. Post a prominent notice on this website and all social media platforms
2. Email all registered donors with the 80G certificate details
3. Issue revised donation receipts bearing the 80G registration number to all donors
4. Provide PAN-wise statements to donors who require them for ITR filing

Documents for 80G Compliance (upon approval)

• Donation receipt from the Trust (issued automatically)
• Your PAN number (please ensure you provide it at the time of donation)
• Trust's 80G registration certificate number (will be added to all receipts post-approval)