Vrindavan 2016.07.04 (TOI): The earnings of the famous Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, primarily from donations and interest accumulated, have almost doubled in the past three years, from Rs 67 crores to Rs 112 crores.
According to sources the temple, which was established 1864, had a total earning of Rs 112 crores in 2015-16. While the major amount of these earnings is from donations, sources claimed that it also includes the interest earned on the fixed deposits made by the temple’s management committee earlier.
Sources claimed that these “record” earnings are likely to go up in the current fiscal year, as the temple is also witnessing a steady increase in the flow of pilgrims and devotees.
Interestingly, this historic temple records higher footfall than even the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu. According to UP Tourism officer in Mathura, Anupam Srivastava, nearly 1.26 crore devotees visited Banke Bihari temple in 2015. This figure is significantly higher to the 77.76 lakhs devotees who visited Vaishno Devi temple in the corresponding period.
Sources said the increase footfalls of devotees are the main reason for the increase in donations at the temple. When contacted, President of Banke Bihari Temple Management Committee, Nandkishore Upmanyu refused to comment on the increase in collection of donations. He said however that donations are collected in special collection boxes in the temple and also at the office for special ceremonies. He said while receipts are issued for donations received at the management’s office, the offerings in the cash boxes are anonymous. He also said that the management is proposing an online donation facility also.
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