To promote cashless transactions, this ashram accepts online ‘dakshina’

Allahabad: At a time when the government is making all efforts to promote cashless transactions, saints at a camp in the ongoing Magh Mela are receiving dakshina (donations) via online transactions through BHIM app.
The camp of Aum Waheguru Rishi ashram, having its headquarters at Delhi, has been operating its Annakshetra at Sangam Lower Marg wherein around 40,000 devotees are served food thrice a day.
Members of the ashram offer ‘dakshina’ either directly to the account of the ashram through BHIM app or in cash. The ashram has been encouraging its members to make online donations during prominent religious events like Magh Mela, Khumbh or Maha Kumbh.
According to office-bearers, the ashram does not receive donations from devotees visiting their camp and only members of the ashram can donate.
Swami Satyanand Saraswati Satyam, who manages the Annakshetra of the ashram, said: “We have been coming to Teerthraj Prayag for last 35-40 years to attend Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh & Magh Mela. We have also been attending Kumbh Melas in Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar Nashik & Haridwar along with Surya Grahan Mela at Kurukshetra. Donations are an integral part of the camp. We introduced cashless donations after demonetisation in 2017.”
“Seers are encouraged to use mobile app and their number is increasing every year — starting from a modest 18 in 2018 to over 300 this year,” he said.
Besides, the entire activities of Annakshetra, wherein around 100-110 quintal of foodgrains (flour, pulses, rice, etc) and 200 litres of milk per day is consumed, are sponsored by the members of the ashram alone.
“We donate 11% of our income with an undertaking mostly in cheques, which upon acceptance are pooled as a common fund as no CSR fund, government aid or any individual donation is used at all,” said Swami Satyam, a practising lawyer in Supreme Court.
“We believe that whatever is served to the deity should be pure and not used by others. The same applies to currency notes which is offered to god and later distributed among the saints, who are around 25% of the total attendance of the Annakshetra on any given day. Therefore, we accept only new currency notes if the donation is not online,” he added.
The kitchen area of the Annakshetra is partly mechanized and food is served in steel utensils in the camp which is washed by women members of the ashram.
Another aspect which makes this camp special is the fact that besides offering free food thrice a day, the common public is offered various items as dakshina.
“Distribution of clothes, blankets, steel utensils, umbrellas, shawls, oil, roasted healthy food & digestive tablets, Chyavanprash, torches, carpets, yoga mats, caps, socks, jackets and other items of utility are given in ‘dakshina’ on our part,” he said.