Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** The Mahakal Temple in Ujjain has introduced a new transparency measure for donations: gold and silver jewelry will now be tested for purity using a carat meter machine, with the process conducted in the donor’s presence. This initiative aims to build trust and accountability in the temple’s donation system.
- A major step has been taken to make the donation process more transparent and reliable at the Mahakal Temple.
- Gold and silver jewelry received as donations will now be tested for purity using a carat meter machine.
- The key feature is that the purity test will be conducted in the presence of the donor, ensuring full transparency.
Rajesh Verma, Naidunia, Ujjain.
A significant step has been taken to make the donation process more transparent and reliable at the world-famous Jyotirlinga Mahakal Temple. Now, the purity of gold and silver jewelry received as donations will be tested using a carat meter machine. The special aspect is that the purity test will be conducted in the presence of the donor, ensuring the donation process remains completely transparent.
According to the temple committee, the carat meter machine will be installed in the temple within a day or two. After this, gold and silver jewelry received at the donation counter will be immediately tested to determine their purity. Previously, jewelry received as donations was initially recorded as “gold-like” or “silver-like” on a prima facie basis.
Without an immediate scientific purity testing system, the actual quality was only determined later. With the new machine, this process will become more accurate and authentic. The temple committee made this decision in light of cases at several major temples across the country where fake or low-purity gold and silver jewelry was received as donations. The committee believes that testing with a carat meter machine will strengthen donor trust and keep the donation receipt process transparent and authentic.
Currently, gold and silver items received as donations at Mahakal Temple are recorded as “gold-like” or “silver-like” and deposited in the treasury. Later, a goldsmith tests them. Often, the precious metal turns out to be impure or of low purity. Due to the time lapse, the committee cannot inform the donor about this. The lack of transparency in the process also breeds distrust.
The company has handed over the carat meter machine to the temple office. It will be installed in the treasury branch within a day or two. It is mandatory to keep this machine in an air-conditioned room 24 hours a day, so a small room is being prepared in the treasury.
The carat meter machine uses X-ray beams. When these beams hit the metal, the metal atoms become excited and release energy. This allows the machine to determine the actual purity of gold and silver within seconds. The metal test is completed in a maximum of thirty seconds. The jewelry is not damaged in any way during testing.
– Simmi Yadav, Deputy Collector and Deputy Administrator, Mahakal Temple Committee, Ujjain