94.5 lakhs collected from Maa Majighariani hundi: avenue for community development
Rayagada (Badal Tah) ; Rs.94,49,054 including 93.10 grams of gold and 2 kg. 170 grams of silver ornaments along with few foreign currencies were collected out of the hundi of the presiding goddess of Rayagada Maa Majighariani. Hundi was opened under tight security. Generally the hundi is opened twice in a year. According to sources, when the hundi was opened last July, Rs. 98,15,422 including 53 grams of gold and 2.393 kg of silver was collected.
The hundi was opened in the presence of additional tehsildar, endowment inspector & police and other officials of revenue department. Union Bank employees along with volunteers of Satya Sai Organization and Venkateswara Temple Committee were engaged in the counting. The temple management committee chairman Rising Bidika, & other committee members namely Debendranath Behera, V. Basudev Rao, Radhakrishna Dalai, Palakanda Prakash, Mangaraj Huika were present.
Devoutees from Rayagada district as well as neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh visit the deity in huge number. Before & after fulfillment of their wish, the devoutees donate money, gold and silver coins and ornaments in the hundi. The temple uses this donation for some social work activities.
“There are still space for some more potential development works that can be taken up by Mahjighariani Temple Trust. Restore and renovate the temple complex, including its structures, sculptures, and artwork. Improve road connectivity to the temple, including repair of existing ones. Provide adequate parking and toilet facilities for devotees. Construct a prasad and dining hall for devotees. Provide ample medical aid and first aid facilities for devotees and in peripheral villages. Organize cultural events to promote the temple’s cultural and historical significance. Conduct educational programs for college & school students and devotees on the temple’s history, culture, and significance. Publish IEC materials. Organize workshops and training programs for local artisans and craftsmen. Plant trees and develop gardens around the temple complex. Implement effective waste management systems to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Explore the use of solar power and renewable energy sources to reduce the temple’s carbon footprint. Provide vocational training and employment opportunities for local youth and communities. Organize health and wellness programs for local communities. Provide disaster relief and rehabilitation support to affected communities. As huge donations are collected, these development works can be implemented in collaboration with government agencies, voluntary organisations, and local communities”, suggested Manjula Miniyaka, a local municipal councilor and a tribal woman devoutee of the temple.
