In the wake of the consecration ceremony of the statue of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir on January 22nd, the temple has witnessed a remarkable surge in donations. Ram temple trust official, Prakash Gupta, revealed that a staggering Rs. 25 crore worth of donations poured in within just a month after the successful completion of the ceremony. This influx of contributions highlights the profound devotion and unwavering support of Ram devotees towards the construction and upkeep of the sacred temple.
To efficiently manage the substantial inflow of donations worth Rs. 25 crore, the State Bank of India (SBI) has installed four state-of-the-art automatic counting machines at the temple premises. These high-tech machines are equipped to handle various forms of donations, including cash, cheques, drafts, and even precious items like gold and silver ornaments. Gupta emphasized that while the trust is aware of physical donations, they may not have complete visibility of online transactions directly deposited into the trust’s bank accounts.
Remarkably, devotees’ devotion to Ram Lalla transcends conventional forms of offerings. Despite knowing that certain items like gold and silver ornaments may not be utilized within the temple premises, devotees generously donate these precious materials as a symbol of their unwavering faith and reverence. Gupta highlighted the significance of these offerings, stating that despite their inability to use such items in the temple, the trust gratefully accepts them in recognition of the devotees’ deep-seated devotion.
Since January 23rd, over 60 lakh devotees have visited Ayodhya to seek darshan of Ram Lalla, underscoring the immense significance and reverence attached to this sacred site. With the approach of Ram Navami celebrations, the Ram Mandir Trust anticipates a further surge in donations as much as Rs. 25 crore, as an estimated 50 lakh devotees are expected to converge in Ayodhya during this auspicious occasion. To streamline the donation process and ensure efficiency, the trust has set up a dozen computerized counters for issuing receipts, along with additional donation boxes placed at the temple premises.
In anticipation of the influx of donations, particularly in the form of gold, silver, and other precious materials, the Ram Mandir Trust has taken proactive measures to ensure proper management and utilization of these offerings. Anil Mishra, trustee of the Ram temple trust, revealed that they have decided to hand over all gold, silver, and precious materials received as gifts to Ram Lalla to the Government of India for melting and maintenance purposes. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the trust and the SBI, outlining the bank’s role in the collection and deposition of donations.
Under the MoU, the State Bank of India assumes full responsibility for the collection and deposition of all contributions, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process. Mishra further elaborated that the SBI has mobilized its resources, including staff augmentation, to facilitate the seamless tallying and processing of cash donations. These operations are conducted twice daily across two shifts, ensuring that every donation is meticulously accounted for and deposited into the bank.
Overall, the overwhelming response to the consecration ceremony and the subsequent surge in donations exemplify the deep-rooted reverence and devotion of devotees towards the construction and maintenance of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. With meticulous planning and collaboration with banking institutions like the SBI, the Ram Mandir Trust aims to ensure that every donation is utilized judiciously towards the fulfillment of this sacred endeavor.