Karthika Masam, note ban swell gods’ coffers

- Hundi collections in temples located in East, West Godavari and Krishna districts see a 25% to 30% rise in Nov
- Two temples in Krishna districts receive large number of banned notes in hundis

Kakinada: The temple hundi collections in major Siva temples witnessed a 25 to 30 per cent rise in the three districts of East and West Godavari and Krishna districts. According to Endowments department authorities, of the 668 Siva temples in the region covering three districts, about 100 major temples saw 25 to 30 percent rise in hundi collections from November 1 to 30 thanks to Karthika Masam, an auspicious month for devotees of Siva, and scrapping of high value notes by the Centre.

These temples include Bhimeswara temple at Draksharama and Kumara Bhimeswara at Samarla Kota, Bhimeswaraa temple at Gunupudi in Bhimavaam, Ksheera Ramalingeswara temple at Palacole , the four Pancharma temples in both the district of East and West. (the fifth being one at Amravati town in Guntur district) witnessed rise in collection from November 10 to 30. Apart from them, the Kukkuteswara temple at Pithapuram known as Saki Peetam also posted an increase of 25 per cent.

Among the major temples, Sataydeva temple at Annavaram has seen a significant jump in offerings by the devout in November. While the collection in the first 15 days were Rs 91 lakh, in the second half of the month, the amount was Rs 1.11 core as against the regular collections during Karthika Masam of Rs 1. 20 to Rs 1. 30 core, thereby exceeding the normal by 30 per cent. Among other temples, the Jaladheeswara temple at Ghantasla in Krishna district witnessed a sharp rise in hundi collection. Interestingly, the temple hundi received Rs 51.30 lakh out of 51.80 lakh total collections in Rs 1,000 spiked notes.

At Anjaneya Sway temple in Vijayawada I town, the collection during November rose to Rs 1 core, major portion being offered in scrapped Rs 500 and 1, as against Rs 15 to 30 lakh for three month period in usual times.

Deputy Commissioner or Endowments of East, West and Krishna region D L V Ramesh Babu, who is also in-charge of hundi collations, said that there was an increase of 25 to 30 per cent increase in hundi collections in all major temples.

But in case of Jaladheeswara temple at Gantasala and Anjaneya Swamy temple at Vijayawada, the collection was much above the normal, he said.

L Anjaneyulu