Rayagada, June: The Maa Majhighariani Temple in Odisha’s Rayagada district has registered its highest-ever donation collection, with devotees contributing ₹1.26 crore through cash, precious metals and online offerings.
Temple authorities on Monday opened nine hundis (donation boxes), recovering ₹1,22,29,623 in Indian currency. The offerings also included 32 grams of gold, 1.3 kilograms of silver, and foreign currencies from several countries. In addition, the temple received ₹3,97,251.35 through online donations, taking the total collection to ₹1,26,26,874.35.
According to the temple administration, foreign currencies from nine countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Qatar and the Philippines, were found in the hundis, highlighting the temple’s growing appeal among devotees from India and abroad.
The counting process commenced at around 10 a.m. amid elaborate security arrangements. More than 250 volunteers, assisted by revenue, police and banking officials, participated in the exercise, which was conducted under the supervision of the Temple Management Committee.
Committee President Raisingh Bidika, along with other members and officials of Odisha Gramya Bank, monitored the counting process. The donations will be deposited in the Maa Majhighariani Temple Trust’s account and utilised for temple administration, infrastructure development and pilgrim welfare.
The temple, one of southern Odisha’s most revered shrines, attracts thousands of devotees from Odisha as well as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh throughout the year.
Temple records indicate that the previous hundi opening in January this year had yielded ₹1.05 crore in cash, while the corresponding collection in July 2025 stood at ₹1.04 crore, making this year’s collection the highest recorded by the temple so far.