The Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, received a record Rs 28 lakh in cash in the Hundi — a secret donation chamber in the 12th-century shrine, an official said on Saturday.

Total Rs 28,10,691 in cash, 550mg gold and 61.70gm of silver were found in the Hundi, set up inside the temple according to the Hundi Act, 1975, on Friday, the official of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said.

Friday was Anala Navami, a major festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

“This is the highest donation received in nearly two years, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The amount was high because of the belief to make donations at the temple on the auspicious Anala Navami,” the official said.

On usual days, Rs 2.5-3 lakh in cash is received in the Hundi, he said.

It took five hours for five people to count the notes and coins, he added.

Devotees show greater enthusiasm for making donations through the Hundi, the official said.

As more devotees are visiting the temple from across the country, the Hundi has recorded a remarkable growth rate, he pointed out.