EO office details verification of Anjanadri gold offerings

Koppal: The executive officer’s office of Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Anjanadri Hill, in Gangavathi, has issued an acknowledgment letter on Wednesday, detailing the verification of gold-plated kavachas and ornaments donated to the temple.

According to the letter released on May 12, the donated items include prabhavali, gadhe (mace), crown, chhatri (umbrella), shanku (conch), chakra (circular disc), two Surya-Chandra medals, two flags and two chamaras (fans).

The EO office said the items were examined in the presence of temple officials, revenue authorities, police personnel and representatives of Hyderabad-based AMR Group Pvt Ltd.

During the verification, Gundachari Sthapati submitted documents stating that the kavachas were made of copper and plated with 1,400 grams of gold. He also stated that the kavachas were prepared using copper coated with mercury and covered with 16 layers of gold leaf.

Goldsmith Gopala Acharya estimated that around 1,150 grams of 24-carat gold was used for plating, while Nagaraj Acharya estimated the quantity at nearly 1kg with a wastage of 9%, the document stated.

As differences emerged in reports, clarification was sought from Bengaluru-based BIS-recognised hallmarking centre Merlecha Assayers, which stated through email that the exact quantity of gold could not be estimated as the items were gold-plated on copper.

The EO's office said all reports, bills, certificates and panchnama records connected to the offerings would be preserved in the Gangavathi taluk sub-treasury.