A deeply emotional situation came to light during the official clearing and counting of donation boxes (hundis) at the renowned Maa Majhighariani temple in Rayagada district, Odisha. Amid high security, as officers unlocked the offerings, they uncovered massive sums of currency, valuable gold and silver ornaments, and foreign notes. However, amid the mountains of cash and jewels, a 7-page handwritten letter caught the attention of temple staff and counting officials. The document contained a moving account of a devotee struggling with severe financial distress, accumulated debts, familial responsibilities, and unwavering spiritual faith.
Rs 54 Lakh Cash and Precious Metals Recovered from 9 Donation Boxes
The temple administration opened a total of 9 donation boxes on Monday in accordance with standard protocol. Under tight security supervision, all financial offerings and precious metals were collected. To ensure an accurate and transparent accounting process, the cash was transferred directly to the Rayagada main branch of Union Bank. Following a meticulous tallying process by bank staff, the official cash count stood at Rs 54,15,902.
Besides Indian currency notes, significant quantities of precious metals were weighed and cataloged. The counting team recovered 64 grams of gold and 1.764 kilograms of silver ornaments. Furthermore, the bank team released a precise breakdown of the specific Indian currency notes found in the hundis
- Rs 500 Banknotes: 2,679 notes
- Rs 200 Banknotes: 1,488 notes
- Rs 100 Banknotes: 22,034 notes
- Rs 50 Banknotes: 14,806 notes
- Rs 20 Banknotes: 21,460 notes
Reflecting the international reach of worshippers, the donation boxes also contained coins and paper currency from several foreign nations. The international currency included US Dollars, Omani Rials, Saudi Rials, and UAE Dirhams. The substantial collection generated widespread interest among local residents and visiting pilgrims.
7-Page Personal Letter Written by Koraput Resident Sunil Khara
The most striking discovery inside the hundis was a 7-page personal petition authored by a devotee named Sunil Khara, a resident of Koraput district. The letter was explicitly dated August 20, 2026. In his long message, Sunil detailed the severe economic crisis gripping his household and the burden of mounting financial obligations.
According to the letter, Sunil currently owes money to approximately 23 different lenders. Expressing his grief and feelings of helplessness, he appealed to Goddess Majhighariani for the strength, opportunities, and steady income required to repay every single creditor individually and free himself from mental agony.
Prayers for Better Employment, Home Sale, and Family Well-being
Throughout the lengthy letter, the devotee articulated a clear desire to rebuild his life through honest work. Sunil prayed for a secure, higher-paying job to enhance his earnings. Additionally, he sought divine assistance to clear legal and administrative hurdles regarding the pending sale of his house, requesting that the paperwork be completed smoothly without complications.
Beyond his personal financial troubles, Sunil dedicated sections of his prayer to the welfare of his immediate family, asking for blessing, health, and happiness for his mother and brother. He prayed for inner peace, courage to make righteous decisions, and the removal of anxiety from his mind. In the concluding lines of the letter, Sunil formally surrendered all his debts, struggles, and worries at the feet of the deity, placing his complete faith in divine providence.
