Authorities at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh have revealed that the temple currently has demonetised currency worth around Rs 25 crore. An official said lakhs of devotees had deposited the demonetised currency in the denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes as fulfilment of their vow in the hundi (offering box).
The notes were deposited a few months after the Narendra Modi government scrapped Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes on the night of November 8, 2016.
Additional Financial Adviser and Chief Account Officer, O Balaji, of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said they have written to the Reserve Bank of India to exchange the currency so as to honour the sentiments of the devotees. It may be noted that the TTD administers the hill temple.
Balaji said they are awaiting a "positive reply". The scrapped cash stockpile has been kept safely at the temple itself, he added.