Ayodhya: Ram Lalla Virajman, the presiding deity of the disputed temporary temple in Ayodhya, has become richer.

The temple, which had only Rs.7 lakh in its account in 2005-06, has seen its wealth increase by about 40 times in the last seven years.

According to the account details with the State Bank of India's Ayodhya branch, the current bank balance of Ram Lalla Virajman, the infant avatar of Lord Ram, is Rs.2.7 crore.

Rise in donations

Although this is a tiny amount when compared with the riches of with some of the big temples trusts in the country, it points to a steady rise in donations.

The devotees have started donating generously since the high court, in its judgment in the title suit in 2010, gave one third of the disputed land to Ram Lalla. Before 1995, the government used to divert the donations received by it for the management of others temples in Ayodhya.

However, while hearing a petition filed by retired HC judge Devakinandan Agrawal, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad HC had on May 25, 1995, ordered the Faizabad commissioner to use the don-ations made to Ram Lalla temple for its upkeep.

The court also ordered that the savings account of Ram Lalla Virajman be converted into a fixed term deposit.

Since then, this money has been used to maintain the temple and pay the salary of its priests and other staff.

While there was earlier one priest for Ram Lalla's temple, eight more employees have been appointed over the years. The main priest gets a salary of Rs.6,000 per month while the four assistant priests are paid Rs.3,800 each.