Poverty, paucity and deprivation do not seem to be leaving Lord Ram. His story is a classic example of ‘poverty in the midst of plenty.’
The Ram Lalla (idol of Ram is officially known by this name) installed at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya is revered by crores of devotees but adversity and hardship seem to be clinging to him. In a make shift structure, Ram Lalla faces crisis of clothes; sometimes the roof of the structure starts leaking. Ironically his coffers are always full.
The financial crisis also hit the 'Ram Janmaotsav'. This year Sytendra Das, the chief priest, got stitched some new dresses for the idols and arranged new flags, curtains, other pooja material and prasada for the ceremony.
For arranging all this, the chief priest had spent an amount of Rs 51,046. However, when he sent the bills to the official receiver of Ram Lalla, who is the commissioner and a senior bureaucrat, only Rs 42,000 was approved.
Das said that this is not the first time that the god is facing financial crisis. This has happened on earlier occasions, too. Festivals like Vijayadashami and Dewali are also associated with Lord Ram, but the Ram Janmabhoomi administration does not have any provision or separate funds for celebrating these functions.
During rainy season, a small ceremony is conducted and a very nominal budget is sanctioned for that. Paucity of funds always remain there.
No clarification has come from official receiver of Ram Lalla Manoj Kumar Mishra.
Though Ram Lalla has been facing financial crunch when it comes to celebrations, its coffers are full. According a rough estimate, every fortnight Ram Lalla, on an average, receives offerings worth Rs 3 lakh and this has been going on since 1993.