In this Rajasthan district, gods get govt payouts

MANY AGRICULTURAL PLOTS IN THE AREA ARE RECORDED UNDER THE NAMES OF VARIOUS GODS AND GODDESSES

BUNDI (RAJASTHAN): Leave alone rain-hit farmers, even gods and goddesses in this district may receive compensation for the crop losses caused by recent hailstorms and unseasonal rains.

Many plots of agricultural land were found to be recorded under the names of various gods and goddesses in the district’s revenue land records, said Chandrashaker Chohan, revenue official (Tehsildar) of Hindoli block.

Chohan said the names of these gods are sent to the government for compensation. The amount has already been received under the names of these deities, he added.

Many deities such as Nolekhaji Maharaj, Sri Kalayanji Maharaj, Raktdantika, Chotmata, Charbhujaji, Devji, Narsinghji, Ragjunathji, Balaji and Chamunda, who occupy the pride of place in temples across the district, own acres of farmland.

Compensation for the damaged crops has been received under the names of the temple deities and it will be disbursed on submission of an affidavit by trustees or priests of the temple, said Dhanraj Sharma, revenue official (Thesildar) of Keshoraipatan block.

In the erstwhile days, kings and royal families would donate acres of lands to temples under the names of deities dwelling there.

Generations of priests and their families, serving in these temples, still earn their livelihood toiling on these lands.

Seshnarayan Sharma, the head priest of Keshoraipatan temple, said God Keshoraiji of the temple owns 2,419 bigas of agricultural land across the state.

Funds for farmers in 122 villages of Keshoraipatan block have been received, and are being distributed among them, Sharma said.