Kolhapur civic action panel question fate of silver donated to Goddess Mahalaxmi

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur City and District Civic Action Committee has demanded clarity on the whereabouts of hundreds of kilos of silver donated for Goddess Mahalaxmi’s chariot, urging that it be used to plate a new chariot ahead of this year’s Dasara.Raising the issue of the annual Nagar Pradakshina held on Chaitra Pournima, activists alleged that despite substantial donations over the years, only a wooden chariot has been used in recent processions, prompting questions over the unused silver offerings.“Devotees offered hundreds of kilos of silver for this chariot out of devotion. A silver chariot was available for the goddess for many years. However, around three years ago, the chariot got damaged.

Since then, two Nagar Pradakshinas have taken place, but only the wooden chariot was used. Where is the silver that was on the old chariot? Also, what about the new silver offerings? Why is the wooden chariot not being plated with silver?” asked activist Ramesh More.The committee has formally written to the Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti (PMDS) seeking disclosure of the total silver received and its current status, and has demanded that the silver be utilised to restore the chariot’s traditional form before the Dasara festivities.

Several members, including Ashok Powar, Ajit Sasane, Rajabhau Malekar, Chandrakant Suryavanshi and advocate Prataprao Jadhav, have backed the demand, signing a joint statement submitted to temple authorities.Responding to the concerns, Mahalaxmi temple manager Mahadev Dinde said deliberations are underway, and details will soon be made public. “A written disclosure regarding the silver chariot and silver offerings will be given to the media soon. Discussion regarding the same is on,” he said.