The renowned religious site, Baglung Kalika Bhagwati Temple, collected NPR 1.8 million in Jestha. According to the income and expenditure report released by the Kalika Bhagwati Temple Guthi Management Committee, the total collection for the month was NPR 1,826,000. This amount is the lowest for the current year, compared to NPR 5,824,000 collected in the previous month, Baishakh.
Chairman of the Kalika Guthi Management Committee, Kumar Khadka, stated that out of the NPR 1,826,000 collected in Jestha, NPR 1,021,000 was spent, resulting in a net saving of NPR 805,000. Khadka also mentioned that a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared for the construction of a Dharamshala (rest house) near Maldhunga in Baglung Municipality-1 to accommodate pilgrims visiting the temple. The construction will be funded by the temple’s offerings.
The breakdown of the temple’s income in Jestha includes NPR 1,196,265 from offerings, NPR 306,400 from shop rentals, NPR 56,683 from donations, NPR 240,750 from the sale of pigeons, NPR 9,000 from the sale of rice, NPR 11,900 from the sale of goat heads, NPR 900 from chicken sacrifices, NPR 3,600 from buffalo sacrifices, NPR 1,000 from weddings, and NPR 400 from services by priests.
Expenditures for Jestha included NPR 434,000 for staff salaries and allowances, NPR 29,580 for electricity, NPR 46,000 for guest hospitality, NPR 9,000 for gifts, NPR 236,000 for infrastructure, NPR 55,000 for puja (worship) expenses, NPR 150,000 for land management, NPR 57,000 for food and accommodation, and NPR 5,000 for advertising.
