The popular Hindu shrine of Chintpurni in Himachal Pradesh last year received cash offerings of over Rs34 crore, CM Virbhadra Singh said on Tuesday. The total income of the State-administered temple in Una district was Rs34,63,31,371 in 2014, Singh, who also holds the language, art and culture portfolio, told the Assembly.
According to him, the temple’s income was Rs29,15,95,941 and Rs31,71,84,837 in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The temple’s expenditure totalled Rs20,58,22,335 in 2014. The shrine of Chintpurni — with one quintal and 72 kg of gold and 59 quintal of silver - is the richest among the 29 prominent temples in the State.
Other rich temple trusts include those of Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Jwalamukhi, Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda Devi in Kangra district, Bhimakali in Shimla district, Mahamaya Balasundari temple in Sirmaur district and Baba Balak Nath in Hamirpur district. All these temples have been included in the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act of 1984.