Varanasi: An 80-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu has donated ₹3 crore to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in memory of her husband and two sons, while asking the temple administration to keep her identity private.




The donor first contacted Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam by email and later travelled to the city with a manager. She met officials on 12 July 2026 and handed over two cheques for the donation.




Of the total amount, ₹2 crore was given in memory of her two sons. The remaining ₹1 crore was designated in memory of her husband for the temple’s Annakshetra, which provides meals to devotees.




The woman requested that her name and personal details not be disclosed. That request protects her privacy while allowing the temple administration to account publicly for the purpose and value of the contribution.




Her decision to contact the divisional commissioner before travelling gave officials an opportunity to verify the proposal and arrange a formal handover. The donation was made through banking instruments rather than cash.




Temple authorities are expected to process the donation through the trust’s financial and audit procedures. The earmarked amount for the Annakshetra is intended to support food service, while the use of the remaining contribution will follow the terms recorded with the donor.




The Annakshetra serves pilgrims and visitors in the Kashi Vishwanath Dham area. A contribution tied to meal service may support ingredients, kitchen operations and other approved expenses, subject to the trust’s accounting and allocation rules.




The donor’s memorial intention is central to the gift: the contribution honours family members without turning their identities into a public campaign. Officials should preserve that balance when reporting how the money is used.




Large donations to a public religious trust require clear documentation, banking records and audited use. No additional biographical details should be published unless the donor gives explicit consent.