Temple silver in the form of coins for devotees at Badrinath

DEHRADUN: The coins which are being specially made will have images of the Kedar and Badri temple idols on either side. Temple samiti chief executive officer (CEO) said that around 30 quintal silver, which is lying "unutilised" in the temple's vaults, will be melted to make these coins. He added that the dimensions of the coins and their individual pricing, is still being decided.
CEO, BD Singh said, "Around 30 quintal silver is lying unutilized in temple vault, it is occupying space and not giving us any revenue.Rather we have to protect it all the time. So we have thought this plan of liquidifying the silver and make thick and big silver coins for the devotees."
He said, the coins will be made aesthetically with images of Kedar-Badri idols on either side. The devotees can buy them for worship or even use them as souvenir of the state or gift them during weddings or other celebrations.
"The cost of each coin would be around Rs 100 giving profit of Rs 20. With this profit, we will be able to provide more amenities to the devotees and, buy more silver to keep our silver stock intact," he said.
He further added that they are in touch with Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India to make silver coin for them. He said, soon they will be able to implement this project, which is already running successfully at Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu. He said, comparing to the silver coins sold at Vaishno Devi temple, their coins will be heavier and bigger in size.
He said, if this project becomes successful than they would come up with gold coins as well under second phase.