Only 5-6 percent silver was found in the silver offered to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is in the news these days after the silver coins offered were found to be fake. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had sent 20 tonnes of silver mint for the first time. When it was examined there, it was found that barely 5-6 percent silver was found in it. Investigation also found that metals like iron and cadmium were also found in the metal offered in the name of silver in the temple. Cadmium is a metal which is very dangerous for health.
After this scam came to light, there has been no response from the Shrine Board. No official is ready to say a word on this issue. The board is headed by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha. Come, in the name of this latest controversy, let us know how the offerings at Vaishno Devi are controlled? Where are the coins offered here made? Who is responsible for testing silver and coins?
tradition of faith and offerings
Mata Vaishno Devi is a big pilgrimage of the country. According to the website of the board, so far this year more than 27.50 lakh devotees have reached here for darshan. The coming devotees make offerings in the court of Mata as per their capacity. Someone deposits cash in the donation box. Someone offers gold. Many people also offer silver coins and jewellery. Devotees believe that their offerings reach the Mother directly. This trust is the strength of this Dham. Therefore the system of offerings becomes very important.
This year in Vaishno Devi temple More than 27.50 lakh devotees have arrived for darshan.
How is the offering controlled?
Vaishno Devi Temple is managed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. This board has been working since 1986. He handles the arrangements for travel, security and donations. Whatever offering comes to the temple, it ultimately goes under the control of the board. Everything from donation boxes to big offerings is recorded. Then there is a process of keeping it safe. Precious metals are kept separately. This time the weight of the silver sent to the mint is said to be 20 tonnes. This is the first time that the Board had sent silver to the mint.
Where do silver coins come from?
The biggest question is where does silver or silver coins come from? The flat answer to this is that both these coins and silver are offered by the devotees at the feet of the Mother Goddess. Devotees bring these coins with them. Buy some on reaching Katra. Some buy from the shops present in the temple premises. Then they give it as offering. After the present scam came to light, it is believed that the biggest irregularities are in the silver and coins purchased from the open market. Because it is not necessary that every shop be reliable.
Some devotees bring silver coins with them and buy some on reaching Katra.
Who does the investigation?
The actual testing of silver is done by the government mint at the technical level. The purity of the metal is checked by melting it. Adulteration has come to light in this process. This is a big blow for the Shrine Board. BIS rules are also important for consumer safety. A system like Hallmark has been established to indicate purity.
How is adulterated silver reaching the temple?
The management and monitoring of the offerings is the responsibility of the Shrine Board. If adulterated goods are reaching the temple, then it shows lapses on many levels. The biggest question is where did the mistake occur? How did it happen? From the information that has come to light so far, it seems that the problem may be more in the outside market than inside the temple.
There are many shops on Katra and Yatra Marg. Silver coins and jewelery are sold here. Reports expressed apprehension that some shopkeepers sold adulterated metal as silver. Devotees kept buying it considering it to be genuine. Then the same went in the offering. The real culprits were those shopkeepers who gave fake silver and coins to the devotees in exchange for real money.
After all, who is responsible for this?
Responsibility in this matter lies at many levels. It is the responsibility of the Shrine Board to strengthen the monitoring of offerings. It is the responsibility of the local administration to keep an eye on the market. Law enforcement agencies will also have to launch a campaign to investigate. Some steps are necessary to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. Only authorized shops should be allowed in the temple area. Hallmark should be mandatory on every silver item. Check from time to time. Devotees should be made aware. Clear information should be given both online and offline about where it is safe to buy. There should be strict punishment for those who do wrong.
How dangerous is cadmium?
One dangerous aspect of this matter is cadmium. It is a cheap metal. It looks like silver, so it is easy to cheat. Cadmium is harmful to health. When it is heated, poisonous smoke comes out. It can harm the lungs. Can affect the kidneys. The risk of cancer may also increase in the long run. It is learned that the mint workers faced difficulty in melting it. They had to install safety equipment. It is clear that the matter is serious.
Vaishno Devi is not just a temple. This is the faith of crores of people. Every coin offered here is associated with emotions. It is also decided that no devotee will knowingly offer adulterated or fake silver. This is not just a financial scam. The trust of the devotees is at stake. Now there is a need for transparency. Strict investigation. And such arrangements were made so that the devotees could make offerings without any worries. The biggest responsibility is to protect the faith. This work will have to be done by the government machinery only.
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