Not Silver, Vaishno Devi Shrine Offerings Made Of Cheap Metals? How Devotees Can Stay Away From Fakes

A major investigation recently revealed that a staggering amount of silver offerings at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine were actually made of cheap, toxic metals. When the Shrine Board sent nearly 20 tonnes of accumulated “silver” to a government mint for processing, tests showed the material contained only 5–6% actual silver.
The probe to tips, all you need to know, News18 explains.

What was the composition of ‘silver’ offerings?

The Economic Times and other reports highlighted how a vast majority of the offerings were found to be made of:
Cadmium: A toxic, silvery-white industrial metal that mimics the look of silver to the untrained eye.
Iron: Used as a low-cost filler to add weight to the items.
Zinc: Often found in “German Silver” or silver-plated items, further reducing costs.

What was the impact?

The Shrine

Board expected to recover silverworth approximately Rs 500–550 crore. However, the actual value plummeted to roughly Rs 30 crore. Cadmium is a carcinogen strictly restricted by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Melting these offerings releases toxic fumes that can cause lung and kidney damage. The government mint initially refused to melt the material due to safety risks. It took personnel nearly three months to manually segregate pieces with higher silver content, the ET reported.

Why did this happen?

Authorities suspect that local vendorsnear the pilgrimage route are selling these fake items to unsuspecting devotees. Many pilgrims buy these “chattars” (umbrellas) or coins as offerings without verifying their purity, believing them to be genuine precious metals, said the report.

What can devotees do to protect themselves from cheating?

• Look for the BIS Logo, the word ‘SILVER’, a purity grade (e.g., 999 or 925), and the 6-digit HUID code.
• You can enter the HUID code into the official BIS Care App to see the jeweller’s details and purity results.
• For offerings like chattars (umbrellas) and coins, only buy from official Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board shops at Katra, Adhkuwari, or Bhawan.
• Genuine silver is priced according to daily market rates. Unusually cheap “100% silver” items are almost always fake.

How can you check purity of silver at home?

The Magnet Test: Use a strong neodymium magnet, not regular fridge magnets which are often too weak. Real silver is not magnetic. If the item sticks firmly to the magnet, it likely has a core of iron, nickel, or steel and is fake. For silver bars, tilt them at a 45-degree angle. Real silver should make the magnet slide down slowly due to magnetic drag (eddy currents).

The Ice Cube Test: Place an ice cube directly on the silver item at room temperature. Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. The ice should begin to melt immediately, almost as if the silver is hot. If it melts at the same rate as on a normal plate, it’s likely a fake.
The Sound or ‘Ping’ Test: Gently tap the item with another piece of metal or drop a silver coin onto a flat, hard surface. Genuine silver produces a clear, high-pitched ringing sound like a bell that lasts for 1–2 seconds. Cheaper alloys or plated metals will produce a dull, flat thud.
The Polish & Smell Tests: Rub a small area with a clean white cloth. If black residue appears, it’s a good sign, real silver oxidizes (tarnishes) naturally. Sniff the item. Real silver is completely odorless. A strong metallic or chemical scent indicates base metals like copper or zinc.

KEY FAQs

What’s the issue with items sold at Vaishno Devi Temple?
Some vendors are allegedly selling “silver” chattars, coins, and idols that are actually made of cheaper mixed metals but priced like genuine silver.
How can devotees avoid buying fakes?
Buy only from authorised shops or shrine board outlets, check for proper hallmarking, ask for a bill, and be wary of unusually low prices.
What should you look for in genuine silver items?
Look for BIS hallmark stamps, proper weight/finish, and certification—genuine silver items typically have consistent shine and standard markings.

With agency inputs