Priests demand more to carry out puja of Ram Lalla
Ayodhya | Thursday, Sep 2 2010 IST
 

As the vexed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid verdict on the title suit approaches, another trouble is brewing in make-shift temple in Ayodhya where 'purohits' have started demanding more money to carry out puja of Ram Lalla.

The chief priest of the make-shift temple on the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, Satyendra Das has written a letter to the Commissioner, Faizabad to increase the maintenance amount for the temple and to hike the priests' salaries.

''It is no longer possible to carry out 'puja' with Rs 43,600 per month. Prices of every thing - from desi ghee to flowers, have gone up. The Commissioner should increase the money at the earliest,'' Das here said.

'Ram Lalla's' make-shift temple was built on Ram Janmabhoomi complex after demolition of the Babri mosque in December 6, 1992. Since then puja is being carried out there on a regular basis.

The chief purohit gets a cheque of Rs 43,600 per month from the Commissioner, Faizabad, who is also the Administrator of this make-shift temple. The money is used for 'bhog' of 'Ram Lalla' and daily aarti. This money is also used to pay salary to the temple staff including a chief purohit, four assistant purohits and four helpers.

The chief purohit gets the salary of Rs 5,000 per month while the salary of other purohits and staff is between Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,100.

According to a rough estimate, almost Rs 23,000 per month is used in disbursing salaries.

''Bhog is offered to the deities thrice daily and the 'peda' (sweet) bhog is offered to 'Ram Lalla' twice daily. This is followed by five aartis per day. The bhog is prepared with desi ghee. Even aarti is carried out with desi ghee. With the surging prices, it is not possible to manage the things any more,'' Das said.

Interestingly, the maintenance amount of Rs 43,600 is paid from the donations collected in four 'daan paatras' (donation boxes) placed inside the make-shift temple. It is believed that almost Rs 1.50 lakh is collected every month as 'chanda' (donation). This money goes to the government treasury.

It is not that purohits are demanding a raise for the first time. Das admits that their salaries and maintenance amount is increased periodically. The last raise he got was almost two years ago.

''It is high time that our salaries as well as maintenance amount of the make-shift temple should increase,'' Das said.

The Lucknow division bench of the Allahabad High Court is likely to give its verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi title suit later this month.

-- (UNI) -- 02DR7.xml

 

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