For ordinary visitors entering the Mahalaxmiji temple in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, it is not the idols that would grab their attention first, but the cash which covers every inch of the temple, which temple authorities say is worth approximately Rs. 100 crore. During Diwali, devotees hand over their cash, jewellery and valuables to the head priest, which is kept inside the Garbh Griha of the temple. This is the unique and auspicious tradition which the devotees of the temple follow every year.

"I have been visiting the Mahalaxmiji temple and for six years now and I'm very happy. Whatever I've wished for in this temple has come true," said Mamta Porwal, a devotee.

The decoration of the temple with the valuables will continue through Diwali, even though space inside the temple to keep the valuables is running out. Sanjay, the head priest of the temple, said, "The value of the cash, jewellery and other valuables is worth around Rs. 100 crore. Devotees come from far away places to give their valuables for the occasion of Diwali. However, we are running out of space to keep the money inside the temple now."

Because of the sensitive nature of the temple decoration, a number of security arrangements are made by the administration and the police.

"The amount of the valuables in the temple is too high. To ensure nobody steals the money that is kept here, we have deployed police personnel who monitor the temple's Garbh Griha continuously," says Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Pradeep Singh.

Thousands of devotees visit the Mahalaxmiji temple on the eve of Diwali as well. After Bhai Dooj, temple authorities ensure that the valuables are all returned to the devotees. The Head Priest maintains a diary that keeps a record of the devotees' contributions and the devotees themselves say that they have never lost the valuables that are kept inside the temple.
 

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