How much money does Kalighat temple have in its donation vaults? Public demand transparency

Following the announcement of the opening of the Ratna Bhandar (treasure vault) of Puri's Jagannath temple on July 8, demands have arisen to open the Ratna Bhandar of Kolkata's historic Kalighat temple. Members of the Kalighat temple committee have called for transparency regarding the temple's wealth, which includes diamonds, gold, silver, and other precious gems.

For years, devotees have generously donated gold, silver, and diamond jewelry, as well as cash, to the Kalighat temple. These precious donations have been stored in a vault at a government bank in Kalighat. However, due to ongoing legal complications, this vault has remained sealed for many years, leaving questions about the temple's total assets unanswered.

The temple's management committee, formed according to the Supreme Court's directive, includes an 11-member team with the District Judge as the chairman. Other members include representatives from Calcutta University, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Bharat Sevashram Sangh, and Sanskrit College. Despite their roles, even committee members are uncertain about the exact amount of wealth stored in the vault.

Kalyan Haldar, the committee's treasurer, expressed concerns about the security and condition of the valuables. "The vault contains hundreds of tolas of gold and silver. While some jewelry is used to adorn the idols, a significantly larger amount is locked away in the bank's vault. The District Judge's approval is required to open it, and despite several attempts, the vault remains closed. I've been involved with the temple administration for 20-25 years, yet I don't know the exact amount of gold the temple has. Sometimes, I worry if everything is alright and whether the jewelry in the safe is secure," he said.