Purushottampur: Two emotional letters written by children were found Tuesday during the opening of the hundi (donation box) at Maa Taratari ni Temple, the presiding deity of Ganjam district.
It was learnt that gold and silver ornaments, foreign currency and cash totalling Rs. 25,91,743 were recovered from the donation boxes.
One of the letters was written in Odia and the other in English.
The heartfelt appeals moved devotees present at the temple.
In one letter, a young boy shared the hardships faced by his family and prayed to Maa Taratarini to help him and his mother overcome their difficult times.
He requested the goddess to provide his mother with a job, guide his father towards the right path and give him a place in his family.
The letter was signed by Srihan Prasad Das of N Go Pinathpur, Lunighat, Polasara.
In another letter, a girl named Manorama prayed to the goddess to always stay with her family and guide them.
She sought good health, happiness and prosperity, and asked for the strength to become a good person and remain on the path of righteousness.
She also requested the goddess to forgive her mistakes and bless her and her family with a peaceful and happy life.
The letters were found amid cash and gold and silver ornaments during the counting of the hundi offerings.
The hundi was opened under the supervision of the temple executive officer and Purushottampur tehsildar Binod Kumar Behera in the presence of police and administrative officials.
Written in blue ink on white paper, the simple and innocent prayers drew everyone’s attention and moved those present.
The letters reflected the deep bond between devotees and the deity.