Rayagada,July 2 {UDN}: The donation boxes (Hundi) of Maa Majhighariani Temple, the presiding deity of Rayagada, were opened after nearly six months. A total of nine donation boxes were opened simultaneously, revealing ₹1,22,29,623 in cash.
Apart from the cash collection, the temple authorities also found 32 grams of gold and 1,300 grams (1.3 kg) of silver. Devotees further contributed ₹3,97,251.35 through online donations directly to the temple trust.
According to the temple trust, foreign currencies from nine countries were also found in the donation boxes, including those from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, Qatar, and the Philippines, reflecting the devotion of followers from across the globe.
Strict security arrangements were put in place during the counting process. The exercise was carried out in the presence of tehsil officials and police personnel, while more than 250 volunteers participated in counting the cash and valuables.
The counting process was supervised by Temple Management Committee Chairman Raising Bidika, along with committee members and trust officials. Committee members Debendra Behera, Radhakrishna Dalai, Accountant S. Venkata Rao, and several other trust members were present throughout the counting operation.
Temple authorities recalled that during the previous counting held on January 19, the donation boxes had yielded ₹1,05,52,845 in cash, along with 30 grams of gold and 2.15 kilograms of silver.
The amount collected this time will be deposited into the official bank account of the Maa Majhighariani Temple Trust, Chairman Raising Bidika informed.
Officials from Odisha Grameen Bank, including Regional Manager Debesh Ranjan Dhar, Rayagada Branch Manager Bijay Kumar Barik, Rayagada Bazar Branch Manager Pragyanranjan Rath, and other bank staff, were also present to oversee the counting and ensure the smooth handling and deposit of the donations.
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