A man in Chennai, India, faced an unusual dilemma when his iPhone accidentally slipped into a temple’s donation box.
Despite his pleas, the temple officials refused to return the device, citing long-standing traditions.
Accidental ‘donation’
According to India Today, Dinesh, the individual in question, was making an offering at the Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple in Thiruporur when his iPhone fell into the donation box.
When he requested its return, temple authorities explained that anything placed in the box—intentionally or otherwise—is considered the “deity’s property.”
Though they allowed him to retrieve data from the phone, the temple retained ownership of the device itself, per their rules.
Seeking further intervention, Dinesh escalated the matter to PK Sekar Babu, Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.
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However, the minister supported the temple’s stance, emphasizing that donation box contents are regarded as the deity’s belongings.
According to temple traditions, offerings made into donation boxes are considered sacred and part of the deity’s account,” the minister clarified. Despite this, Mr. Sekar mentioned he would consider alternative ways to compensate Dinesh.
Not the first time
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time such an event has occurred.
In a similar situation, a woman’s gold chain accidentally fell into a donation box at another temple while she was removing a garland to make an offering.