Shirdi temple receives Rs 60 crore donation in year 2007

Ahmednagar, Jan 30 (UNI) The Shirdi Saibaba Temple Trust has received a whopping Rs 60 crore cash in donation during the year 2007.

This is apart from the 14 kg of gold and 235 kg of silver, according to temple trustee Ashok Khambekar.

The donation in the year 2007 far exceeds the donation of Rs 35.25 crore of the year 2006. In 2006, apart from the cash, devotees had donated 9.326 kg of gold and 136 kg of silver.

The year 2007 can be called as the 'golden year' in the history of the Trust. In the month of December 2007 alone the temple received Rs 7 crore cash along with 250 gm of gold and 21 kg of silver.

The new year has started on a good note with the temple receiving more Rs 6 crore in cash and 1.095 kg of gold, along with 30.116 kg silver for the period of January 1-28.

The Trust uses these donations in many projects which it undertakes for the welfare of the people, Mr Khambekar said.

The Trust has planned for projects, involving construction of roads, 'dharmashala', clinics and educational complex, worth Rs 300 crore.

The Trust has been running the Saiaba superspeciality hospital, which, apart from treating patients, also provides them with monetary help for their treatment in other hospitals.

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