A priest at the Churdhar shrine in Himachal Pradesh has been lauded for his remarkable honesty after returning a lost purse containing gold jewellery valued at approximately Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7,910 in cash. The valuables were discovered near the summit of the prominent pilgrimage site and were returned to their rightful owner following a three-day search.
Act of Integrity at Revered Churdhar Shrine
The incident unfolded at the Churdhar temple, dedicated to Lord Shirgul Maharaj, where Pandit Deep Ram Sharma, a priest and sevadar, found the purse. Located at an altitude of 11,965 feet, Churdhar is a significant pilgrimage destination in the outer Himalayas. The purse contained gold ornaments, including rings and a mangalsutra, but lacked any identification to trace the owner.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that after the discovery, several individuals came forward claiming ownership of the purse. However, Pandit Deep Ram Sharma maintained a principled stance, refusing to hand over the valuables unless the claimant could accurately describe all the contents and the precise amount of cash. This meticulous verification process ensured that the recovered items remained secure and would only be returned to the rightful owner.
Social Media Aids in Owner Identification
To facilitate the location of the owner, Shyam Lal Sharma, an employee of the Churdhar Temple Committee, utilized social media. He shared a video on Facebook detailing the lost purse and appealing to the public for any information. This digital outreach proved instrumental in successfully tracing the owner of the lost valuables.
The owner was identified as Reena Sharma, a resident of Vikasnagar in Uttarakhand. Upon learning that her pilgrimage had resulted in the loss of her purse and its valuable contents, she had reportedly come to terms with the unfortunate event. News of the purse’s recovery and its intact contents brought relief and emotional gratitude.
Formal Handover and Gratitude Expressed
Following a thorough verification process, which concluded on Monday, the purse was confirmed to belong to Reena Sharma. She was notified over the phone about the recovery and the safe return of her belongings. Overcome with emotion, she subsequently dispatched her relative, Ritik Sharma, a resident of Dashau village in Uttarakhand, to collect the purse on her behalf.
On Tuesday, the purse, along with all its contents, was formally handed over to Ritik Sharma. The ceremony took place in the presence of members of the Chureshwar Seva Samiti, including Sohan Thakur, Jiya Lal, Roshan Sharma, and Pradeep, alongside other volunteers. Ritik Sharma conveyed his sincere gratitude to the temple management committee and, specifically, to Pandit Deep Ram Sharma for their exemplary honesty and unwavering dedication.
A Quarter Century of Service
Pandit Deep Ram Sharma, affectionately known to devotees as “Sirmauri Pujari Ji,” originates from Naya village in the Shillai subdivision of Sirmaur district and currently resides in Ronhat. He has dedicated approximately 25 years of his life to serving at the Churdhar temple, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to his duties.
The incident has garnered widespread praise from pilgrims and the local community, who view it as a powerful testament to honesty, integrity, and selfless service. This act of moral uprightness has further bolstered the sanctity and esteemed reputation of the Churdhar shrine.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
