File photo of Shirdi's Sai Baba temple
Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has received donations worth Rs 3.44 crore, including cash and jewellery, in the past three days, an office-bearer of the Trust said.
"In the last three days starting Dussehra, the Trust has received donations worth Rs 3,44,49,000. Out of the total collection, cash, gold and silver ornaments amounted to Rs three crore, while the remaining amount came through the sale of various items at the temple counters and through booking of accommodation by the devotees at the shrine," Trust's acting executive officer, Ajay More said in Shirdi in Maharashtra today.
"However, compared to the donations received in the same period last year, this year's collection is less by Rs 1.57 crore," More said.
The trust has received cash and gold and silver coins worth around Rs three crore. Rs 40 lakh were collected through the sale various items at the temple counter and by providing accommodation, etc.
The donations included a 756 gram gold crown worth Rs 21 lakh offered by an Aurangabad-based devotee, 36 kg silver seating platforms and another silver item by two New Delhi-based persons collectively worth Rs 17 lakh.
According to More, although over two lakh devotees visited the temple in the last three days, due to the impact of 'Phailin' cyclone in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the number of visitors was less compared to last year's.