AHMEDABAD: A Delhi-based businessman has made a glittering offering to Somnath Temple , the revered Shiv temple in Saurashtra. The man, who belongs to an illustrious business family in the national capital, has anonymously committed to donate 25 kg of gold to the Somnath temple, the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlings of India .

With gold prices hovering at a high of Rs 33,000 per 10 grams, the donation amounts to an estimated Rs 9 crore. The gold will be used for decorating the base of the jyotirlinga.

Secretary of the Somnath Temple Trust P K Laheri said, “We have received an offer from this businessman to donate 20 kg gold. This is the initial estimate and the donor has committed to donate more as per requirement.” It is estimated that 25 kg gold will be used for making the base of the jyotirlinga golden, which has a circumference of 22.6 meter, a temple official said.

Laheri said workers skilled in renovating and beautifying Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand have been roped in for the work. The work is expected to be completed by December-end or by January.