Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Even as the controversy surrounding alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Ram Mandir continues to make headlines, there appears to be no impact on devotees’ faith or the flow of donations to the temple. On the contrary, sources indicate that daily donations received at the temple have witnessed a significant increase in recent weeks, driven largely by a surge in pilgrim footfall during the summer vacation season.
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According to banking and temple-linked sources, the amount deposited daily from offerings and donations has nearly doubled. While the average daily deposit earlier stood at around Rs 10-12 lakh, it has now increased to approximately Rs 20-24 lakh per day.
Sources attribute the rise primarily to the growing number of devotees visiting Ayodhya from across the country. The influx of pilgrims seeking darshan of Ram Lalla during the holiday period has translated into a corresponding increase in donations and offerings at the temple.
The development comes amid an ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities involving temple offerings. An FIR was recently registered in connection with the alleged theft of offerings, triggering political debate and public scrutiny over the management and handling of donations at the temple. The matter is currently under investigation.
However, the latest donation figures suggest that the controversy has not dampened devotees’ enthusiasm or trust. Temple-linked sources said the increase in offerings reflects the continued faith of pilgrims despite the allegations.
There has been no official confirmation from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust regarding the recent spike in daily donations, and the figures are based on information shared by banking and other sources associated with the donation collection process.
RS 327 CRORE ANNUAL INCOME
According to the Trust’s annual report, the Ram Mandir recorded a total annual income of Rs 327 crore in the financial year 2024-25. Out of this, donations alone accounted for Rs 153 crore.
The donation figures translate to an average of nearly Rs 41.9 lakh per day, around Rs 1.75 lakh per hour, and approximately Rs 2,912 every minute during the financial year.
The temple has also witnessed several high-donation periods since its inauguration. On January 22, 2024, the day of the consecration ceremony, offerings reportedly crossed Rs 3.17 crore. In February 2024, devotees donated around Rs 11 crore within just 11 days.
HOW DEVOTEES DONATE
More than 20 large donation boxes have been installed along the Darshan Path near the sanctum sanctorum, allowing devotees to contribute directly. Donations are also accepted through online platforms and at five computerised counters within the temple complex.
A 14-member team comprising 11 bank employees and three representatives of the temple trust is involved in counting and processing the offerings collected from donation boxes.
OVER 12 CRORE VISITORS SINCE INAUGURATION
Temple sources estimate that nearly 12 crore devotees have visited the Ram Mandir between January 22, 2024, and mid-2026. On an average day, around 50,000 to 60,000 devotees visit the temple, while the number often doubles during weekends, festivals, and special religious occasions.
Apart from cash donations, devotees also offer gold, silver, jewellery, clothes and other valuables at the temple. Sources said there are indications that overall donations, including cash offerings, have increased in recent weeks despite the controversy surrounding the alleged theft case.
– Ends
With inputs from Mayank Shukla
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
