Officials Refuse to Return iPhone Dropped in Temple Donation Box
INDIA – A man accidentally dropped his iPhone into a donation box at the Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple, but officials refused to return it, citing temple policy.
In November 2024, a man named Dinesh from India visited the Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple in Thiruporur, Tamil Nadu, with his family. During their visit, Dinesh made a donation and, while praying, accidentally dropped his iPhone into the temple’s donation box, known as the hundial. This metal box is designated for offerings from devotees.
Realizing his mistake, Dinesh immediately approached the temple officials, hoping to retrieve his phone. However, he was informed that once an item is placed in the hundial, it becomes a donation and cannot be returned, regardless of whether it was accidental. According to the temple’s strict policy, offerings are considered part of the deity’s account and are not touched until the hundial is opened, which only occurs once every two months.
Determined to get his phone back, Dinesh filed a complaint with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department. He requested that his iPhone be returned when the donation box was next opened. On December 21, 2024, Dinesh was present when the box was finally opened, but he was still unable to recover his device. The temple officials reaffirmed their stance, explaining that even accidental donations were not eligible for retrieval, as they were now considered offerings to the deity.
While Dinesh was allowed to recover the data from his phone, he had already replaced his SIM card. According to PEP.ph, the temple also discussed the possibility of compensating him for his lost device. The incident, which went viral on Indian social media, sparked discussions about the temple’s policies, with some people questioning the authenticity of Dinesh’s story and the strictness of the rules.