Kashi Vishwanath Temple Tightens Hundi Counting Process, Transparency Measures Strengthened After Ayodhya Donation Row
Varanasi: In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and maintaining public trust, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration has strengthened the monitoring and oversight of its hundi (donation box) and offering counting process. The decision comes in the wake of recent discussions surrounding donation management at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple.
Acting on the directions of Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam, temple authorities have implemented stricter monitoring measures to ensure complete transparency during the counting of donations and offerings received from devotees.
The latest counting exercise was conducted under the supervision of SDM Pawan Prakash Pathak near the Satyanarayan Temple within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex. More than 25 individuals, including women volunteers from South India and temple staff members, participated in the process.
According to temple officials, over 50 authorized steel donation boxes have been installed at various locations across the temple premises. In addition, devotees can also make contributions through QR code-based digital payment systems, providing a secure and transparent alternative to cash donations.
The administration stated that the counting process is conducted in an open area where devotees can observe the proceedings. Donations received in the form of jewelry and precious metals are evaluated based on their weight, while all financial records are documented in both physical registers and digital databases.
Officials further emphasized that every individual involved in the counting process is digitally recorded, and representatives from banks remain present throughout the procedure. Once the counting is completed, the collected cash and valuables are transferred to secure lockers under strict security arrangements.
The temple administration has appealed to devotees to use only authorized donation boxes, QR codes, and official channels while making offerings. Devotees have also been encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity related to donations within the temple premises.