The iPhone accidentally "dropped into the merit box" and the temple refused to return it: it is already the property of the god

A male believer named Dinesh from Tamil Nadu, India, recently went to worship at a temple in Thiruporur. After visiting the shrine, Dinesh wanted to offering some money. When he reached for the money, his iPhone fell out of his shirt pocket and fell into the merit box. Dinesh wanted to get his phone back but was declined by the temple: "The phone has become the property of God."

According to reports from "India Today" and "Hindustan Times", Dinesh immediately sought help from the temple staff. Unexpectedly, the temple refused to open the merit box and return the believer's mobile phone because the things thrown into the merit box are "god's property." The temple authorities also explained that according to custom, the merit box can only be opened once every two months. Anxious, Dinesh complained to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Foundation. Although the temple later agreed to open the merit box, they still insisted not to return the phone and only allowed Dinesh to back up the data in the phone.

Reprinted from India Today

The temple authorities also said: "We don't know whether he accidentally fell in, or whether he originally wanted to donate his mobile phone but suddenly changed his mind because the merit box was protected by iron railings." P.K. Sekar Babu, a lawmaker from the state after hearing this, Sekar Babu also supported the temple: "According to the customs and traditions of the temple, the offerings in the merit box are regarded as the property of the gods, and the returns of the offerings are not allowed according to the rules." However, the congressman said that he would discuss it with department officials again and see. Can you compensate Dinesh?

Similar incidents have actually happened before. Also in India, a female believer in Kerala wanted to offer a garland of flowers around her neck during worship, but accidentally took off her gold necklace together. The gold necklace weighing 1.75 kilograms accidentally slipped into the merit box. In the end, the temple authorities adjusted the monitors and considered the female believer's financial constraints, so they finally bought a new gold necklace of equal value to return to her. The religious foundation said that according to regulations promulgated in 1975: "Items in the merit box cannot be returned because they are regarded as temple property." Do you think this is because believers are too careless or the temple authorities are too stubborn?

Faith can soothe people's hearts and bring strength, but activities that lose rational judgment may turn into "superstition" that is harmful to the body and mind. A group of believers in Uttar Pradesh, India, crowded around the wall of a temple and rushed to drink the "holy water" flowing from the statue on the wall. Even if others tried to dissuade them and told them that it was not holy water, many believers still insisted on drinking it.

Image Source: X (@KanojiaPJ)

According to reports from the Times of India and New18, the Banke Bihari Temple (Transliteration) in Vrindavan has elephant-shaped decorations on the walls. Believers believe that the elephant carvings are dripping water. It is the holy water at the foot of the Hindu god "Krishna", so people gather in line to drink the water with their hands or paper cups.

An eyewitness recorded the scene after discovering it, and tried to advise the believers: "That is air-conditioning water, not holy water of God. The priest in the temple has already said that." But a large number of people did not listen and continued to get water to drink or It is rubbed on the head respectfully. The video became a hit on Twitter, attracting more than 790,000 views. Netizens commented: "Who knew that air-conditioning water can also become a sacred ritual?", "The temple authorities can at least post an announcement?", "Let them go if they believe it." Bar!"

In this regard, Dinesh Goswami, an employee of the temple, came out to clarify and called on everyone to stop drinking: "We respect people's belief in gods, but it is also important to tell them the truth. What people think is holy water is actually just air conditioning. Water, real holy water will be added with ingredients such as holy basil and rose petals."

Editor's note: If your family mistakenly drinks air-conditioning water as holy water, will you find a way to stop him?

अंधभक्ति का ये आलम है AC से गिरता हुआ पानी भी प्रसाद समझकर पी रहे हैं। क्या लगता है विश्वगुरु बन पाएंगे?

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— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) November 3, 2024