Gangavathi (Koppal): Temple authorities on Sunday clarified that recently donated religious artefacts, including the prabhavali, crown and mace, offered to Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the historic Kishkindha Anjanadri shrine are made of gold-plated copper and not solid gold.
Clarification After Social Media Claims
Kishkindha Anjanadri Temple administrator and assistant commissioner Mahesh Malagitti said the clarification became necessary after social media posts claimed that all the items donated to the temple were made entirely of gold. Speaking to reporters after the items were examined by bullion experts, he stated that businessman Mahesh Reddy and his family of Hyderabad, associated with AMR Construction Company, donated 12 items to the temple on May 8.
Expert Examination
Metal evaluators and gold valuation experts Gundachar and Parashuram Vishwakarma confirmed that the articles were made of copper coated with gold sheets, Malagitti added. He further noted that the donors were instructed to submit the value details and purchase receipts of the donated items to the temple committee at the earliest.
Compliance with Regulations
Malagitti emphasized that the muzrai and religious endowment department rules mandate valuation and documentation of gold, silver, diamond and other precious items donated to temples. Tahsildar U Vasanthakumari and officials from the revenue and muzrai departments were present during the examination.
