The world famous Ambaji Temple in North Gujarat's Banaskantha district has insured the pilgrims visiting the shrine against any natural calamity, including storm, cyclone and earthquake, for a period of 21 days this year.
Ashish Raval, Media Convener of the Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust (SAAMDT), which looks after the shrine's affairs, on Tuesday (Sept 13) said the trust has paid a premium to the New India Assurance Company for cover ranging from Rs 30 to 50 million, depending upon the circumstances and nature of calamity and extent of damage thus caused.
"The insurance cover is effective from September 1 to 21 and in the 20 km radius from the temple," he said.
Raval also said in the first two days of the 'Bhadaravi Poonam' mela, which is to conclude on September 16, a total of 4,35,103 pilgrims visited the temple.
During the same period, cash and kind offerings worth over Rs 6.5 million were received by the temple authorities, he said.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad visit the shrine every year during 'Bhadarvi Poonam' mela period.
