Haryana temple gets foreign currency

CHANDIGARH - A Hindu temple in Haryana has got a Navratras bonanza: donations in US, Australian and New Zealand dollars as well as British pounds.

The Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula town, 10 km from here, attracted over 600,000 people during the nine-day festival.

Temple officials said that while devotees continued to offer Indian currency and gold and silver ornaments, the donation box was suddenly full of foreign exchange.

Nearly Rs.8.5 million (85 lakh) in cash, 70 gold items, 1,100 silver items, 300 litres of ‘desi ghee’ and scores of saris, suits, ceiling fans, utensils and other items have been donated during this period.