The D-Day finally arrived on Monday with thousands of devotees and VVIPs arriving in Ayodhya to witness the historic Pran Pratistha event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Ayodhya to participate in the Pran Pratistha Event and formally open the historic Ram Temple on the Ram Janmbhoomi for billions of people all around the world, especially Hindus. With an estimated cost of Rs 1800 crore, the Ramjanm Bhoomi Project is among the most expensive religious projects in India in recent years. Following closely is the Vishv Umiya Dham in Gujarat, valued at Rs 1,000 crore. While the majority of people are elated with the inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, there are people on social media who are claiming that the Ram Mandir has been constructed with the tax payers' money given by the Government of India and the Uttar Pradesh State Government. Now, the question arises who paid for the Ayodhya Ram Temple construction? Below is what you should know-
Who paid for the Ram Mandir construction?
The answer is devotees. The Government of India and the UP Government did not spend the taxpayers money on the construction of Ayodhya Ram Temple. While the Government of India donated Rs 1 when Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust introduced an online portal for donations of temple construction, the UP Government donated Rs 11 lakhs. Champat Rai, Spokesperson, of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust was quoted saying that the trust will bear the expenses for the ceremony. However, they have not received the bills yet, but as soon as they get the bills from the suppliers, they will initiate the payment process.
At first, the trust expected to reach Rs 900 crore in donations. However, the trust got an overwhelming response after they asked the devotees to donate to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As per a report, the trust got 4 times the estimated donations by devotees all around including from famous Indian Celebrities. As a result, the trust deposited the money in a bank. Interestingly, the interest received from the bank was so high that the Ram Temple was built by it.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government of India had made all donations to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust exempt from Income Tax for the 2020-21 financial year under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.