It’s raining donations at Kali Mata, Mansa Devi temples

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 14

The Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula and Kali Mata temple in Kalka have witnessed a 10 per cent increase in donations during the ongoing Ashwin Navratra festival this year.

This year, the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board (SMMDSB) has received Rs 54.33 lakh in the form of donations as compared to Rs 47.45 lakh till the fourth day of the Ashwin Navratra festival last year, showing an increase of more than Rs 6.87 lakh.

Sharing this information with The Tribune, SP Arora, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, said on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner and chairman, SMMDSB, four accountants were providing services to the board for maintaining accounts during the 9-day fair.

He said accountants from the Haryana Urban Development Authority, Food Supply Department and Government PG College for Women had been asked to help the board in maintaining the records.

Arora said cash received in form of donations at both shrines in Panchkula as well as Kalka was being calculated on a daily basis and was being deposited in two banks.

He said 32 CCTV cameras had been installed in the complex as well as the cash counting area. Donations in foreign currency were being received online and the same was being transferred to bank accounts of the board as per the RBI guidelines.

The CEO said gold and silver items were being kept in a separate donation box. The board had not used the same for the past several years. He said special coins offered to devotees along with “prasad” were being prepared with the funds received as donations and a proper record was being maintained in this regard.

Meanwhile, over 1 lakh devotees visited the Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula and the Kali Mata temple in Kalka on Sunday. The police had made elaborate arrangements to keep a tab on anti-social elements and for the smooth conduct of the fair. 

Fact file

This year, the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board has received Rs 54.33 lakh in the form of donations as compared to Rs 47.45 lakh till the fourth day of the Ashwin Navratra festival last year, showing an increase of more than Rs 6.87 lakh.

Over 1 lakh throng temples on Sunday

Over 1 lakh devotees visited the Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula and the Kali Mata temple in Kalka on Sunday. The police had made elaborate arrangements to keep a tab on anti-social elements and for the smooth conduct of the fair.