Sarv Devta Seva Samiti donates Rs 9L for disaster relief in Mandi

In a gesture of solidarity and tradition, Shiv Pal Sharma, president of Sarv Devta Seva Samiti, Mandi district, handed over a cheque of Rs 9 lakh to the Mandi Deputy Commissioner, Apoorv Devgan, on Monday. The amount was contributed by the Kardars (custodians) of various deities to support those affected by the recent rain tragedy in Mandi.

Sharma highlighted that this act is in keeping with a longstanding tradition of the local deities and their devotees coming forward during times of crisis. “Be it the Covid pandemic or the 2023 natural disaster, the deities’ custodians have consistently offered aid. In 1962, several temples donated gold and silver from their treasuries for national service,” he added.

Sharma noted that the Kardars believe that the deities continuously protect the people of their harianos (communities) and in return, during calamities, the deities extend help from their own treasuries to the people.

Sharma thanked all Kardars and harianos for their unwavering faith and commitment to service. This gesture reflects the enduring connection between devotion, community and compassion in Himachal’s rich cultural heritage.