Shirdi Saibaba temple receives Rs 10 crore dakshina in 9 days

The famous Saibaba temple in Shirdi has received nearly Rs 10 crore as 'dakshina' in the last nine days of 2009, temple sources said on Monday.

The famous Saibaba temple in Shirdi has received nearly Rs 10 crore as 'dakshina' in the last nine days of 2009, temple sources said on Monday.

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"The Shri Saibaba Sansthan's 'dakshina pethi' (donation box) received a donation of Rs 9.9 crore from December 23-December 31. The box was opened yesterday," they said.

According to one of the trustees, AB Khambekar, the temple had received donations to the tune of Rs 7 crore in 2007, and Rs 8 crore in 2008 during the corresponding period.

The Sansthan, which is the authorised body to control and manage the day-to-day activities at the temple, had received a whopping Rs 240 crore in 2009 in donations, with Chennai-based Sai Trust accounting for Rs 100 crore.

Khambekar said the Sansthan, which has overall bank deposits of Rs 409 crore, has prepared a budget of Rs 207 crore for 2010.