Creating a bridge between the sacred and the tangible, a collaborative endeavour between the VHP, the RSS and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust gave rise to an extensive donation campaign that was set to unfold over a period of one and a half months. Thus, the biggest crowdfunding drive of the world—the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan—was launched.
Initially, the estimated cost for constructing the magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya was approximated to be ₹1,800 crore. The core essence of the Samarpan drive initiative was grounded in the unwavering belief that the temple is a devoted offering to Lord Ram, and any financial constraint would not hinder the progress of this divine undertaking. General Secretary Champat Rai too has said that the ambitious scope of this initiative was to traverse every corner of the country, from the northern reaches of Kashmir to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, from the western border to the eastern edge, leaving no stone unturned.
The objective was to not only disseminate information about the Ram Temple but also create a profound awareness among the masses while seeking their invaluable support. Commencing on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti on 15 January 2021, this intensive and extensive campaign was meticulously designed to span until Magh Purnima which fell on 27 February 2021. The campaign was set to reach an astonishing 110 million families residing in 400,000 villages across the nation, guided by the dedicated efforts of VHP karyakartas.
In this collective endeavour, the Ram Temple transformed into more than just a place of worship; it took on the significance of a ‘Rashtra Mandir’—a temple that symbolizes the nation itself. It provided a platform for individuals from all corners of the country to contribute to a shared dream that resonated deeply with millions—the construction of a temple at the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram. The actual response was overwhelming, with donations pouring in from citizens, organizations and communities.
The donation drive was initiated simultaneously from 400 different locations. The VHP started its campaign with a donation of ₹500,100 from the first person of the country, President Ram Nath Kovind, on his and his family’s behalf. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu followed suit, along with several state governors and CMs who also made contributions for the temple construction. Within 11 months of it being set up, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust managed to collect a little over ₹100 crore, with the Gujarat-based spiritual leader Morari Bapu contributing the highest donation of ₹11.3 crore, with his followers in the US, Canada and the UK having collected another ₹8 crore.
The funds received by the Trust through this campaign crossed ₹2,500 crore, and the figure was expected to only go up. As per Swami Govind Dev Giri, treasurer of the Trust, it was observed that contributions were made to the fundraising campaign by individuals across various communities and age groups. He mentioned that even children contributed from their piggy banks, while individuals with occupations such as labourers, beggars, vendors and rickshaw pullers donated according to their capacity. Swami ji stated that donations were received from all corners of the country encompassing people of different castes, creeds and religions.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 6 March 2021 said through a tweet that Arunachal Pradesh had contributed ₹4.5 crore, Manipur ₹2 crore, Mizoram ₹21 lakh, Nagaland ₹28 lakh and Meghalaya ₹85 lakh for the purpose. As informed by general secretary of the Trust, Champat Rai, Rajasthan made the highest contribution in the Samarpan Drive, with a collection of more than ₹500 crore. Amidst heartwarming instances of devotion and selflessness, the narrative of contributions towards the construction of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya takes on a deeply moving dimension.
In a striking testament to the power of faith over material circumstances, a 90-year-old woman, despite her financial limitations, made a donation to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan. Her gesture underscored the belief that the value of the contribution lies not in its monetary worth but in the love and devotion with which it is offered. Similarly, another elderly woman from Telangana, surviving on a meagre pension, donated ₹500 towards the temple’s construction. When questioned about her decision, she expressed that her faith in Bhagwan Ram’s providence was her source of reassurance, stating that her devotion outweighed her concerns about her pensiondependent livelihood.
Take the case of Munnibai Khushwaha, a resident of Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha. She ekes out a living by selling plums. However, her modest means did not deter her from contributing to the grand vision of the Shri Ram Mandir. With a heart full of devotion, she contributed coins, ₹10 and ₹20 notes, totalling ₹100. Welcoming the volunteers with open arms, she offered them tea and plums, while sharing her belief that Bhagwan Shri Ram’s blessings transcend distinctions of wealth, age and gender. Her conviction showcased the unifying power of devotion.
Individuals across India viewed the construction of the Ram Temple not merely as a religious undertaking but as a national project. Zahara Begum, based in Andhra Pradesh and the organizer of the Tahera Trust operating in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, called on the Muslim community to contribute to the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya. This call has resonated with many Muslim families in villages, inspiring them to come forward and contribute. Begum, who is currently in the USA, emphasized that this gesture is a way of reciprocating the goodwill extended by Hindu communities in villages, who have helped the Muslim community by donating land for mosques and other religious structures.
Another example is that of Wasim Rizvi, former chairman of Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board, who publicly announced his contribution of ₹51,000 towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The contributions received from across regions and religions not only reflected the importance of the temple for many but also showcased the unity and solidarity of the Indian populace.
‘Donors’ devotion is so deep that they continued sending money to our accounts even when the pandemic had brought the entire country to a standstill,’ Prakash Gupta, an RSS member who runs the Trust’s office, told reporters in Ayodhya. In a press release, the VHP stated that the campaign had captured indelible, astonishing and heartwarming moments. The donation drive was, thus, underpinned by a robust organizational structure. The trust ensured utmost transparency in its financial operations by issuing printed coupons and receipts of denominations such as ₹10, ₹100 and ₹1000.
The trust’s transparent handling of funds lent credibility and trustworthiness to the campaign. This sense of assurance encouraged individuals from all walks of life to contribute to a cause that had transcended mere religious boundaries. The campaign’s success was also attributed to the outreach strategy. The drive’s organizers, including the VHP, employed various mediums to reach out to people, from door-to-door interactions to social media campaigns. This comprehensive approach ensured that no corner of the nation remained untouched, making the drive accessible to every willing participant.
This excerpt from Swadesh Singh’s ‘Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Bharat’s Quest for Ram-Rajya’ has been published with permission from Rupa Publications.
This is many steps forward in Indias journey towards becoming a theocracy.