Gold platter worth Rs 11 crore donated to Somnath temple

A Mumbai-based business family has donated a gold platter weighing about 30 kg and worth around Rs 11 crore to the historical Somnath temple of Gujarat.

The platter, donated by businessman Dilip Lakhi, his four brothers and their families, was brought to the temple in a procession on Thursday.

Managing trustee of the Somnath Temple Trust P K Laheri said that Lakhis, during their last visit three months ago, noted that the 'jyotirlinga' here had a silver platter, and vowed to donate a gold one.

The heavy platter was crafted by artisans in Delhi and brought to Somnath town by a train, under tight security.

"This unprecedented offering has increased the importance of the pilgrimage to this temple which is the pride of not only Gujarat state but of whole nation," former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, who is also the Chairman of Somnath Temple trust, said.