Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Records Unprecedented Rs 7 Crore in Cash Donations Within a Month
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In just one month, Varanasi's Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple has received over Rs 7 crore in cash donations from devotees, marking an unprecedented surge in generosity. This total is expected to grow as many donation boxes remain uncounted.
Key Takeaways
- Record-breaking donations at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
- Over Rs 7 crore contributed by devotees in one month.
- Suspension of ticket sales due to overwhelming crowds.
- Approx. 1.5 crore pilgrims visited in the past month.
- Many Hundis, especially for gold and silver, still uncounted.
Varanasi, Feb 13 (NationPress) The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has experienced an astonishing increase in donations, with devotees contributing over Rs 7 crore in cash to the temple's 'Hundis (donation boxes)' within a single month. This amount reflects only the counted donations so far, as additional Hundis, particularly those containing gold and silver, are yet to be assessed.
In light of the overwhelming crowds following the Maha Kumbh, the temple administration made the decision to suspend ticket sales, including those for Sugam Darshan and Aarti, yet the surge of devotion from visitors has been remarkable.
Shambhu Sharan Singh, the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, spoke to the media about this extraordinary act of generosity, stating, "The influx of pilgrims has been increasing steadily, particularly as devotees return from the Maha Kumbh."
"This marks the highest number of pilgrims since the temple corridor's completion. In the past month alone, approximately 1.5 crore pilgrims have visited, necessitating the suspension of ticketed entry to ensure a smooth and orderly darshan experience."
Despite the suspension, devotees have continued to contribute generously to the Hundis. In the last month, around Rs 7 crore in donations has been received. However, this figure is expected to rise as many Hundis, especially those filled with gold and silver, are still pending counting due to the massive influx of visitors.
Singh elaborated that the crowd management system necessitated the halt of all ticket sales, including for the popular 'Sugam Darshan', to streamline pilgrim access and maintain order.
"The choice to suspend the ticketing system was crucial given the significant influx of devotees. This is the highest amount of donations we’ve witnessed to date, and the total is likely to increase as further Hundis are counted," he added.
The Maha Kumbh Mela holds a prominent place in Hindu mythology and stands as the largest public gathering and collective act of faith globally. Government data indicates that an average of 1.44 crore individuals partake in a holy bath at the Maha Kumbh daily.
