Vrindavan, 2015.12.01 (VT): If things go well and the temple is not taken over by the state government, there is news that can make the devotees of the Banke Bihari Temple feel proud.
The treasury of Banke Bihari Mandir is all set to be opened for the charitable projects. Funds lying untouched in the temple and worth 900 million Rupees will be used for the charitable projects.
There are proposals to build a multispecialty hospital, a dharmashala (guest house) and a hall for prasadam distribution. The process for all three projects has already begun.
While there are many projects already running under the auspices of the Banke Bihari Temple from donations made by devotees, the temple committee has drafted a plan to utilize the untouched wealth still lying with it.
The temple management felt a need of a multi-specialty hospital for the devotees. Although there are many modern medical facilities available in Vrindavan and Mathura, but they are out of reach for the poor people. The temple management has entered into an agreement with an organization from Kolkata which will provide land for the hospital. Talks for the land are in their final stage.
The temple management also intends to build a dharmashala on two acres of land as it is well aware of the difficulties being faced by poor devotees who can’t afford to stay in hotels or expensive guesthouses. The temple management is concerned about the devotees, who have to spend their time sitting under a tree or on the footpath when temples are closed.
A prasadam hall is also proposed to be built, where the prasadam can be distributed to the devotees. There is no place available where the devotees can sit and take prasadam except in the temple campus itself.
Prasadam distribution in the temple itself has always been in dispute. There was a recent controversy when the Chief Secretary of UP State along with some government officials was served prasad on a chair and table inside the temple. The court has also restrained the temple from being used for feeding people. Therefore there is an urgent need for a prasadam hall to be built for the devotees.
Shri Nand Kishor Upamanyu, the president of the temple committee said, “The sole purpose of these projects is to provide facilities for the devotees, so that they find solace in the lotus feet of the Lord.”
“We have made the proposals; they have to be passed by the board first. Let the temple takeover issue be settled, only then can we pursue these proposals,” said a senior temple official who didn’t want his name to be disclosed. It should be noted that the income of the temple is about 80 to 100 million rupees every year.
(Inputs from personal interaction with the reporter and news printed in the Hindi Daily Dainik Jagaran on 29th November 2015).
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