Physical verification of temple property in MP

Panna (MP), June 22: Physical verification of considerable property of ancient temples dating back to dynastic rule in this district headquarters, famous for diamonds, is being carried out after a gap of four decades.

In the presence of Madhya Pradesh Woman and Child Development Minister Kusum Singh Mehdele and the district collector's supervision, locked and sealed chests, full of diamond-studded gold and silver ornaments were brought out of the government treasury yeterday amidst tight security. Ornaments, coins and other precious material were listed.

As the chests' keys were unavailable, locks had to be broken. The chests contained ornaments belonging to the Baldevji temple, Govindji shrine and Jagannath Swami temple. Gold bangles, a diamond-studded gold ring, emerald-studded necklace, crown, elephant tusk, Mughal-era silver coins, a large quantity of silver jewellery and vessels comprised the contents.

The Shri Jugal Kishoreji shrine's treasury chest lock could not be broken. ''This chest is 150-200 years old,'' claimed former Queen Dilhar Kumari. The administration has directed locksmiths to prepare a key. Another chest, belonging to the temple, yielded a diamond-studded golden flute, several gold and silver ornaments and more than a dozen silver flutes.

UNI