Trust

Dear Fellow Devotees,

As you are already aware, the divine old Temple of Shri Parameshwari Devi Pitrani Ji, situated in the moorlands of Mandawa (Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan), got buried beneath the dunes of sand long ago. This made it impossible for us devotees to perform the daily puja. Around 60 years ago from today in the year 1960, the monumental efforts of Shri Bajrang Lal Shroff were instrumental in restoring the buried Temple and the idol of our beloved Dadiji.

Further to this, a trestle was constructed on the rooflet of the old Temple and the holy idol of Shri Parameshwari Devi Pitrani Ji was seated on it. This marked the resumption of our age-old ritual of daily puja in the Temple. Ever since then, every year on Bhadi Amavashya, Dadiji’s puja – prasad is organized in a very grand fashion with huge pomp and show.

Devotees, you must also be aware that the land on which the Temple was constructed and its surrounding area was owned by Shri Vasudev Shroff. As a result of successful endeavors carried out by our revered, Shri Onkermul Shroff and Shri Govardhan Das Shroff, Shri Vasudev Shroff agreed to donate half (13 Bigha) of the entire land, that measured ~26 Bigha, in the year 1960, for Rs 2,000 only.

With the blessings of Dadiji, on the auspicious date of 24th October 1960, the lineal descendants of Seth Ramji Das Ji Shroff gathered to discuss the arrangements of the Temple. All the brothers unanimously decided in favor of forming a trust to ensure day-to-day arrangements for Dadiji’s Temple and to take the entire land around the Temple. Consequently, the trust was named Shri Parameshwari Devi Pitrani Ji Trust.

Thereafter, remaining land, around 13 Bigha in area, was donated by Shri Vasudev Shroff free of any cost; post the formation of said Trust. The efforts of Late Mahadev Lal Shroff are to be credited for the same. On the same occasion, all the brothers resolved to make an initial donation of Rs 5,346 towards corpus of the Trust to initiate the Temple as well as Trust activities.

Details of initial corpus donations are enclosed herewith.

Following members were unanimously accepted as the first Trustees:

• Shri Sewaram Shroff
• Shri Onkermul Shroff
• Shri Govardhan Das Shroff
• Shri Mahadev Lal Shroff
• Shri Bajrang Lal Shroff

A Managing Committee was then formed and the following members were unanimously accepted as the first members of the Committee:

• Shri Babulal Shroff – President
• Shri Radhakrishna Shroff – Vice President
• Shri Kishorilal Shroff – Joint Secretary
• Shri Bajrang Lal Shroff – Joint Secretary
• Shri Madanlal Shroff – Treasurer
• Shri Sewaram Shroff – Member
• Shri Onkermul Shroff – Member
• Shri Govardhan Das Shroff – Member
• Shri Mahadev Lal Shroff – Member
• Shri Vasudev Shroff – Member
• Shri Keshavdev Shroff – Member
• Shri Nanuram Shroff – Member
• Shri Harisharan Shroff – Member
• Shri Gajanand Shroff – Member
• Shri Shrikrishna Shroff – Member

Presently, the Temple premises occupy an area of 26 Bigha. However, the entire vicinity is overfull with sand dunes. Furthermore, the land is open from all sides. Necessary arrangements were made and the land was bound from three sides by barbed wires connected through angular iron poles. On the western front (facing the road) of the Temple, a temporary condominium of tin was erected for the security guards. Additionally, last year, 24×7 drinking water facility was installed. For visitors to the Temple, 2 benches were also installed.

It may not be out of place to mention that Shri Bajrang Lal Shroff had undertaken to incur all expenses related to the Temple. However, the same is now being taken care of by the trust. Also, expenditure of the Annual Puja was incurred from donations received for the said purpose. Thereafter, all expenditure till date has been incurred from donations received by the Trust. Details of income and expenditure since the inception of Trust till date are enclosed herewith.

We are thankful to the fellow devotees who contributed towards the smooth management of daily affairs of the Temple. Special thanks to Shri Vasudev Shroff, who showed big heart, sheer devotion and kindness in donating the entire land for no consideration.

It is important to highlight the need for construction of new Temple as the condition of old Temple has deteriorated since it was buried for a long time. Further, there is dire need of at least one pukka house (shelter) inside the premises for visitors to stay. The absence of permanent facility for continuous supply of water inside the Temple premises cannot be ignored. It is, therefore, requested of you all to make wholehearted contributions towards the early fulfillment of aforesaid works.