Rayagada, June 30: The donation boxes (hundis) of the Maa Majhighariani Temple, the presiding deity of Rayagada district, were opened on Monday, with devotees contributing more than ₹1.22 crore in cash.
According to the temple administration, all nine hundis were opened and counted in the presence of a magistrate and police officials. The counting, which lasted for nearly 10 hours, revealed cash donations amounting to ₹1,22,29,623, along with 30 grams of gold and 1,300 grams of silver.
The hundis also contained nine foreign currency notes and coins from eight countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Temple authorities believe the foreign currency was offered by devotees visiting the shrine from abroad.
This was the first hundi counting in nearly five months. During the previous counting held on January 19, the temple had received ₹1,05,52,845 in cash, besides 30 grams of gold and 2,150 grams of silver, along with foreign currency from several countries.
The temple administration said the hundis are generally opened three to four times a year. The cash collected during the latest counting has been deposited with the Union Bank of India, while the gold and silver have been kept in the district treasury.
Bank officials, temple staff and volunteers participated in the counting process. Security arrangements were tightened by the police and temple security personnel throughout the exercise to ensure a smooth and transparent counting process.
