MATHURA : The temples in Brijbhumi region have witnessed a slump in their donations in wake of demonetisation of the high-currency notes.
Earlier, the pilgrims who used to make donations thorugh Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes are now using Rs 10 and Rs 20 denomination. There are worries that the decrease would adversely affect the charitable programmes run by these temples.
“There has been major slump in the donations of temples in all the pilgrim centres of India,” Mahesh Pathak, National President of Akhil Bhartiya Tirth Purohit Mahasabha, said.
“The slump has been most in the temples of Brijbhumi as at an average over five lakh pilgrims visit the shrines daily and since the demonetisation announcement, the rush of pilgrims has come down,” he said.
However, the exact position would be only be known after the month of Karthik, Pathak added.
Kapil Sharma, Secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, said, “The number of pilgrims visiting Sri Krishna Janmasthan has come down since withdrawal of higher currency notes. Still, the situation is better on Kartik Purnima today.”
He claimed that so far the income of temples has come down by 20 per cent.
Bankey Behari temple in Vrindaban has experienced a decrease in donations, even though there has been an increase in the number of pilgrims since yesterday, a priest said.
“Mostly the offerings are made through Rs 10 and 20 notes as against Rs 100 and 500 currency. Though the exact position would be known next month when ‘Gullak’ (cash box) would be opened. However, the situation is very discouraging,” priest of Bankey Behari temple, Anant Goswami, said.
The withdrawal of higher denomination currency has also affected the famous Dwarkadheesh temple in Mathura.
“There has been 80 per cent slump in the donation to the temple ever since notes of Rs 500 and 1000 were withdrawn,” Rakesh Tewari, the PRO of Dwarkadheesh temple said.
“Despite the auspicious Karthik month, the number of pilgrims at Daan Ghati temple has reduced to 70 per cent,” Daal Chand Chaudhary, Manager of Daan Ghati temple, said.
The condition of Girraj Mukut Mukharbind temple Mansi Ganga has equally turned alarming owing to slump in donations.
“As the pilgrim does not know how long the present situation would continue, he is offering only the lowest denomination currency,” Rama Kant Goswami, receiver of Girraj Mukut Mukharbind temple Mansi Ganga, said.
The income has also come down in Dau Ji temple Baldeo, Sri Ji temple Barsana, Raja Thakur temple Gokul and Nand Baba temple Nandgaon.
“Most of the temple managers are worried due to the slump because if the trend continues the charitable programs run by the temples would be badly hit,” K C Gaur, former President of Bankey Behair temple committee, said. (AGENCIES)
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