The authorities at the historic Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand, were left stunned after opening the temple’s 18 donation boxes. Under strict administrative supervision, a total of ₹32,14,245 in Indian currency was recovered. However, what caught everyone’s eye was the significant amount of foreign currency tucked inside the offerings.

District Magistrate Naman Priyesh Lakra confirmed that for the first time, a Pakistani note (100 PKR) was found in the donation box. Along with it, officials recovered 11 US Dollars, 20 Euros, and over 9,000 Nepalese Rupees. As one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and 51 Shakti Peethas, Baidyanath Dham attracts thousands of devotees from across the globe who often donate anonymously. It is suspected that international tourists dropped these currencies as a gesture of faith.

Steeped in mythology, Deoghar is the legendary site where Ravana halted while carrying Lord Shiva to Lanka. Today, it stands as a unique confluence of Shiva and Shakti worship. While the huge sum of Indian money reflects the immense devotion of local pilgrims, the presence of international currencies highlights the global reach of this spiritual hub.