AYODHYA: In thirty days since the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram temple held on Jan 22 this year, the devotees have offered around 10 kilograms of gold, 25 kilograms of silver ornaments and another Rs 25 crores in cash, cheques and drafts.
Office in-charge of Ram temple trust, Prakash Gupta, said details of the online donations that come directly into the bank accounts of the Trust were yet to be compiled and added to the list.
A total of 60 lakh people visited the temple in this period.
The temple trust is expecting a very heavy increase in donations during the days leading to Ram Navami (April 17 this year), when around 50 lakh devotees are expected to be present in the temple town.
To control the heavy inflow of cash in donations and offerings during Ram Navami, the State Bank of India has installed four automatic high-tech counting machines at Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The counting of currency notes is presently going on in double shifts in the temple complex.
“A dozen computerised counters have been set up by the trust to issue receipts while a dozen donation boxes have been placed on the temple premises. Soon a big and well-equipped counting room will be constructed on the Ram temple premises,” said Gupta.
For the valuation of gold and silver jewellery and precious materials received as gifts to Ram Lalla, their melting and maintenance have been handed over to the Indian Government Mint and their team has reached Ayodhya and started its work, said Trust member Anil Mishra.
Along with this, an MoU has been signed between SBI and the temple trust; according to which, the bank will take full responsibility of collection of donations, offerings, cheques, drafts and cash deposits, Mishra added.
