Shirdi Trust receives Rs 2.83 cr donation on Ram Navami fest

Saibaba Trust has received donation to the tune of Rs 2.83 crore, including gold and silver ornaments, from devotees in just three days of Ram Navami festival which concluded yesterday.
"Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust received Rs 2.83 crore donation online as well as in donation boxes, including gold and silver ornaments worth lakhs of rupees, in three days of the festival from April 14 to April 16," Trust's chief accountant Dilip Zirpe told PTI today.
He said donation was given by devotees from different parts of the country and abroad.
During the festival, lakhs of devotees thronged the famous shrine which was kept open round-the-clock to cater to the huge rush. Ram Navami is one of three main festivals in Shirdi, others being Gurupornima (July) and Vijayadashmi (September).

Giving the break-up, Zirpe said, "While Rs 1.83 crore cash was received in donation boxes set up in the temple, Rs 74 lakh was received at donation centres, whereas Rs 7.33 lakh was received through online donation and Rs 5.81 lakh through foreign exchange."
He said gold ornaments (385 gm) worth Rs 10.53 lakh and silver ornaments worth Rs 2 lakh were received in the donation boxes.
"The treasure of the Trust has 391 kg gold and 4,178 kg silver. The Trust has kept various FD receipts worth Rs 1,587 crore in various nationalised banks," Zirpe added.