In another episode of this ‘happens only in India’ a businessman based in Bengaluru is planning to donate a hefty sum of Rs 700 crore for the renovation of Chottanikkara temple in Kerala and transform it into an international pilgrim centre.

Ganesh Shravan said in an interview, “Two years ago, I faced a severe crisis in my business. I started visiting the temple every month and my business flourished beyond my expectations.”

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He also said that in order to express gratitude, he has decided to spend a huge amount of Rs 700 crore to renovate and expand the temple.

He said, “We have completed the paper works and initial formalities for the renovation of the temple which includes two decorated ‘gopurams’, a seven-storied guest house for pilgrims, gold plating of the roof of the sanctum sanctorum and renovation of ‘onakutti chira’, which is considered as the origin of the divine abode of Goddess Chottanikkara Amma.”

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If you think about it, this is actually quite an incredible gesture by the businessman who is literally going all out to thank the gods for his success.

Meanwhile, the Cochin Devaswam board has said that it is waiting for a nod from the High Court before implementing such a major project financed by a devotee.

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This is not the first time we are hearing something like this happening in our country. It is quite common for a lot of devotees to make regular donations to temples, and the money is often used for renovations and also for feeding the poor.

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