Lord Hanuman hits a jackpot, all thanks to demonetisation

VIJAYAWADA: The ancient Dasanjaneya Swamy Temple at Machavaram in the city, which generally gets a revenue of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh in a period of 60 days through hundi collections, surprisingly earned a whopping Rs 1.05 crore in the last 72 days. The temple hundi was found to have been filled to the brim with the scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Earlier, smaller denominations like Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50 used to be dropped in the hundi.

According to the Parakamani officials, counting of hundi collections began at 8 am and concluded at 4 pm on Thursday. Temple sources opined that traders and businessmen might have liberally dropped the demonetised currency notes in the hundi instead of standing in serpentine queues at banks and accounting for the money later on.

Speaking to Express, temple executive officer Nutaki Venkata Sambasiva Rao confirmed that the temple hundi collection stood at Rs 1,05,59,327. This is the first time in the history of the temple that the hundi collection crossed Rs 1 crore mark in 72 days.

The earlier record for 60 days was Rs 2.95 lakh during the month of April this year. The temple staff were surprised to see Rs 1,000 notes (100 bundles) and Rs 500 (300 notes) in the hundi. Besides cash offerings, the hundi also contained gold and silver. However, their value is yet to be ascertained. “The endowments department officials have been informed about the revenue collection. They asked us to submit an account sheet of the revenue earned and how the temple is going to utilise the same. We will submit all the details and seek permission to buy jewellery for the presiding deity and take up development works,” Sambasiva Rao.

The EO said that Machavaram Anjaneya Swamy Temple which is also called Dasanjaneya Swamy Temple is one of the prominent Lord Hanuman temples in Krishna district. The idol in the temple was installed by Sri Vyasatirtha while touring along with his disciples on foot across the country three centuries ago. After his visti, the temple was constructed under a peepal tree which is still alive and could be seen.

The temple comes under the purview of the Endowments Department. Devotees from around Vijayawada throng for darshan, especially on Tuesdays. “It is a custom for one to visit the temple when he or she buys a new vehicle. They have darshan and perform rituals for their vehicles. Hanuman Jayanthi and Sri Rama Navami festivals are celebrated with devotional fervour and gaiety at the temple,” Sambasiva Rao explained.

Meanwhile, a staggering Rs 71.10 lakh was received through hundi collections by Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop the Indrakeeladri hill in the last one week. According to temple executive officer A Surya Kumari, the temple had garnered Rs 1.9 crore through hundi collections between October 16 and November 16. Besides cash offerings, the temple also got 305 gm gold and 2.3 kg silver through offerings by the devotees.