Srikakulam: Controversy raging over collection of donation by Sun God temple officials

Srikakulam: Collection of donations for making a large size garland gold for temple idol at Sun God temple at Arasavalli has attracted criticism from all quarters.

Without obtaining prior permission from the government or at least from the Endowments Department higher officials, the temple main priest I Shankara Sharma announced that donations would be collected for making a garland made of gold for the temple shrine on January 4 this year. He also announced that donors who contribute more than Rs 1 lakh cash will be given donor passes. Those with passes can have darshan of the temple shrine on all auspicious days without buying tickets.

So far about 60 donors donated Rs 1.30 crore for the garland. A committee with three private persons and the temple main has been constituted. But as per Endowments Department norms, any work relating to the temple local officials should get permission from the government. The issue came to light when a donor who contributed more than Rs 1 lakh was reportedly insulted by the temple staff when he visited the temple. The donor is an influencial person and having relations with higher officials. He reportedly complained to the District Collector through his sources. The District Collector directed the temple EO V.Hari Surya Prakash to send a report.

The reliable sources said that a rift surfed between the three private persons and priests regarding collected amount from the donors. There was reportedly Rs 50 lakh variation between the available money and the collected one. The temple EO admitted that prior permission was not obtained for collecting donations.