New Delhi: The grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya continues to see an unprecedented influx of donations from across the globe, exceeding Rs 5500 crore, according to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This monumental amount surpasses the annual budget allocations for several key departments of the Uttar Pradesh government, underscoring the temple’s significance and the devotion it inspires.
Since the temple’s construction began after the Bhoomi Pujan on August 5, 2020, funds have steadily flowed in, with a major surge during the Trust’s 2021 fund dedication campaign. The campaign alone garnered Rs 3500 crore from generous contributors across India. In the three years following, an additional Rs 2000 crore has been collected, without any formal solicitation.
The temple’s reach extends far beyond India, with significant contributions coming from international devotees. In the past 10 months, approximately Rs 11 crore has been donated from abroad, with the largest contributions from the United States and Nepal. According to Trust officials, monthly donations currently exceed Rs 1 crore, a trend that has accelerated since the installation of the Pran Pratistha (consecration) ceremony.
In addition to cash donations, devotees have also contributed large quantities of gold and silver. So far, over 100 quintals of silver bricks and 10 kilograms of gold,
including crowns, necklaces, anklets, and armlets, have been donated. The Mint, a Government of India organization, evaluates these precious metals, ensuring that all donations are appropriately accounted for.
The sheer scale of donations has drawn attention to the temple’s extraordinary fundraising success. To put this into perspective, the donations received for the Ram Mandir exceed the budgets of key departments within the Uttar Pradesh government. For example, the state’s Department of Industry has a budget of Rs 1900 crore, while the Department of Tourism and Environment each operate with Rs 1500 crore annually. Even the Women’s Welfare Department, which has a larger budget of Rs 4500 crore, falls short of the temple’s total donations.
The Ram Mandir itself is a colossal structure in the making. Spread over 107 acres of land, the three-storey temple will have a total built-up area of 57,400 square feet, with a height of 161 feet, and its sanctum sanctorum situated in a 2.77-acre area. The temple is adorned with 366 pillars spread across its three floors: 160 on the ground floor, 132 on the first, and 74 on the second.
Since the Pran Pratistha, the temple has witnessed a surge in visitors. In the past six months alone, an estimated 2.5 crore people have visited the site, with daily footfall doubling from 35,000 to nearly 1 lakh on some days.
Devotees have multiple ways to contribute to the temple’s construction and ongoing development:
- Online Payments: Platforms like Google Pay and Paytm offer a simple ‘Donate’ option for digital contributions.
- Donation Boxes: Physical donation boxes are available within the temple complex for cash or cheque contributions.
- Receipts for Large Donations: For significant contributions, donors can approach the Trust directly and receive official receipts.
- Jewelry Donations: Many devotees also donate gold and silver jewelry through the Trust, with arrangements facilitated by temple priests.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust remains dedicated to ensuring that every rupee is utilized effectively to fulfill the vision of a magnificent temple that will stand as a symbol of faith and devotion for generations to come.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
