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In almost every temple in India you will find, near the sanctum, a sturdy, locked box into which devotees, quietly, slip coins or folded notes. One of the most familiar objects in Indian worship, it rarely has a single name. In Andhra it is a hundi, in Tamil Nadu an undiyal, in the Hindi heartland a daan peti. If you're searching for the hundi meaning, it is essentially simple – a safe in which voluntary offerings are made to a god or a temple. This guide explains what a hundi is, what it is called in different Indian languages, and what these boxes are known as in English.  

What is a Hundi? (Definition of Hundi) 

A hundi is a sealed collection box kept inside a temple to receive offerings from devotees — usually cash and coins, and sometimes gold or written prayers. The meaning of the hundi extends beyond a mere money box: it symbolizes faith offered freely, without expectation of return.  Offerings are passed through a narrow slot and the box is opened only by temple authorities, then counted and used for upkeep, rituals, food distribution and charity.  The most well known example is the Srivari Hundi at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. 

What is Hundi in English language? 

There isn't a single perfect word for hundi in English, but there are a few that come close. It is most often called a temple donation box, an offering box, or a collection box. In more formal writing it may also be referred to as a temple treasury box. This is similar to the notion of a protected space in which sacred funds are collected. Each term refers to the same object: a locked box that safely contains whatever devotees choose to give. 

What a Temple Donation Box is Called in India 

India's languages have endowed this humble box with a wealth of names.  The word changes with region, dialect, and local temple custom rather than by strict boundaries, so you may hear more than one term even within the same state.  

Undiyal (Tamilnadu) 

In Tamil the box is called an undiyal, and because "kovil" means temple, it is often the kovil undiyal. If you search for the kovil undiyal in english or the temple undiyal in english, the answer is the same familiar object — a temple donation or collection box common in Tamil Nadu temples and South Indian homes.  

Daan Peti (Hindi Belt)  

In North and Central India the box is known as the daan peti; "daan" meaning donation and "peti" meaning box.  It is also called the mandir daan peti in temples.  It is known sometimes also as a daan patra and is found in shrines all over Ayodhya, Varanasi and Delhi. 

Pronami Box (Bengal & East India) 

Devotees donate at the pronami box in West Bengal and much of eastern India.  The word comes from "pronami" or "pranami," meaning a respectful offering made with a bow — linking the act of giving with the gesture of devotion.  

Karnataka temples call it kanike, Kerala shrines call it kanikka or the bhandaram, and Sikh gurudwaras maintain a golak elsewhere.  They all call the same thing a trusted box for freewill offerings. 

Where a Hundi Is Placed and Why It Matters 

The hundi allows devotees to donate anonymously, quietly, at their discretion.  There is no set amount, and no one is watching. The act is between the worshiper and the divine.  Collected funds are used for daily rituals, maintenance, free meals (annadanam), education and community welfare. 

The box is usually kept in a prominent, easily accessible position, often near the entrance or along the route the devotees take after darshan. Where people naturally walk by, it’s an easy, pressure-free decision to give – keeping it a personal choice.  Placement varies from temple to temple. 

Types of Temple Hundi: Material, Shapes and Size 

Modern donation boxes are designed to be secure, durable and easy to clean.  Today, stainless steel is the most popular choice for its rust resistance, ability to withstand heavy footfall and its hygienic qualities year after year.  For a more traditional look, brass or wood may also be utilized for a more classic look. 

Popular choices include: 

• Shapes: round and square hundis, each with a safe coin-and-note slot and a strong lock. 

• Sizes: Sizes range from about half a foot compact boxes for home pooja rooms, to four to five feet floor-standing units for busy temples. 

• Finish: Mirror-polished steel for a bright, clean finish that stays looking good for years. 

If you are building a temple or upgrading an existing one, RSS Online has many stainless steel temple hundi options in round and square shapes, in sizes that suit homes as well as large temples. 

Conclusion 

Whether it is a hundi, an undiyal, a daan peti or a pronami box, the shape and purpose is the same. Understanding the hundi meaning helps you see it for what it truly is — a safe, revered receptacle for voluntary donations that sustains a temple's traditions. These regional names help you identify the box easily wherever you travel and choose the right one for your own space. Browse the temple donation box collection at RSS Online for the size, shape, and finish that will fit your needs when you are ready to install a well-made donation box.  

FAQs 

1. What is a hundi in a temple? 

A hundi is a locked collection box kept inside a temple to receive voluntary offerings from devotees such as coins, cash and sometimes valuables. Only temple authorities open it and the money is used for rituals, upkeep and charity work. 

2. What is undiyal called in English? 

Undiyal is the Tamil word for temple money box. In english it is simply a temple donation box, offering box or collection box — the kovil undiyal in english refers to the same object placed in temples and homes. 

3. Is a hundi the same as a daan peti? 

Yes. Hundi and daan peti are the same thing. It’s a temple donation box. The word “hundi” is commonly used in South India and beyond, while “daan peti” or mandir daan peti is prevalent in Hindi-speaking areas. 

4. What is a pronami box?

A pronami box is the name given in West Bengal and eastern India to a donation box in a temple. The word is derived from “pronami,” meaning a respectful offering, and is also the name of the box in which devotees deposit their offerings. 

5. Why is the hundi placed at the temple entrance? 

The hundi is often placed near the entrance or along the path of the devotees to make giving convenient and voluntary. The best way to do this is to put the box in a natural walking place so that people can give to it without being asked. Placement can vary slightly by temple.