Churdhar photo used for indicative purpose only.
Churdhar Sevadar returns Rs 5 lakh gold, cash to Uttarakhand pilgrim, wins hearts
Shimla, June 3
In an inspiring display of honesty and integrity, a sevadar of the revered Churdhar Temple in Himachal Pradesh returned a purse containing gold jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs 5 lakh to its rightful owner, leaving the family overwhelmed and reinforcing public faith in the values of the hill state.
The incident occurred at the sacred Churdhar Dham, dedicated to Shirgul Maharaj and situated at an altitude of 11,965 feet in the outer Himalayas. A purse containing gold rings, mangalsutras, pendants, lockets and Rs 7,910 in cash was found near the temple premises on Saturday. However, the purse carried no identification documents, making it difficult to trace the owner.
Pandit Deep Ram Sharma, popularly known among devotees as “Sirmauri Pujari Ji,” took custody of the valuables and refused to hand them over to anyone without proper verification. Despite several claimants coming forward, he insisted that only a person capable of accurately describing every item and the exact amount of cash would receive the purse.
To locate the owner, Churdhar Temple Committee manager Shyam Lal Sharma also shared a video on social media seeking information. The efforts bore fruit on Monday when contact was established with Reena Sharma of Vikasnagar in Uttarakhand. She correctly identified all the contents of the purse, confirming her ownership.
Having returned home devastated after losing the jewellery, which held immense sentimental and family value, Reena Sharma was left speechless when informed that everything had been recovered safely. Overcome with emotion, she reportedly broke into tears of joy.
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On Tuesday, the purse and all its contents were formally handed over to her relative, Hrithik Sharma, in the presence of members of the Chudeshwar Seva Samiti.
The incident has once again highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s reputation for honesty, hospitality and sincerity, with devotees saying such acts strengthen faith not only in sacred places but also in humanity itself.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
