Right from providing free meals to relatives of patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals, to providing logs for last rites and lenses for patients undergoing cataract operations, the Shri Jalaram Seva Shram Trust, which runs the temple, has through its philanthropic activities helped many a needy.

``When Chimanbhai Chunibhai Patel set up the temple, we never envisaged that the trust would carry out such activities,'' says Rasikbhai Patel, a managing trustee and Chimanbhai's relative. The Patels, who returned to India from East Africa in 1964, had set up the temple dedicated to Jalarambapa. Interestingly, the land which the temple stands today, was being cultivated by a mali. The original owner, had given all rights to the mali regarding the land. When approached the mali willingly handed over the possession.

Chimanbhai was inspired to help the needy, when he met Hasmukhbhai Patel of Sayaji Iron, who provided meals to patients of the SSG hospital. The Trust, then took over in 1976, and today provides two meals daily to patients' relatives in the SSG, Jamnabai, TB, Mental and Ayurvedic hospital.

``It was a small beginning. However, even today the trust doesn't have to go out asking for funds. All activities are carried out from the offerings in the temple,'' Rasikbhai told Express Newsline. People also donate generously looking at our activities, he adds.

The trust spends nearly Rs 7 lakh annually on providing logs for last rites and towards gas chitas run by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, about Rs 12 lakh towards fitting lenses for those undergoing cataract operations at the Vaduvala's Eye Hospital in Salatwada.

Besides an ayurvedic hospital, which provides medicines at a concessional rates, the Trust has also helped in setting up the R C Gandhi Dental Hospital. The Blood Bank set up by the trust, in the Kashiba Children's Hospital in Karelibaug, is also one of the leading blood banks in the city.Making inroads in the educational field, it set up the Jalaram English Medium School in Sardar Chhatralaya, Karelibaug six years ago. The trust also provides assistance during natural calamities. Last month, representatives of the Trust distributed essential commodities worth more than Rs 6 lakh in the cyclone-affected areas of Gujarat and Saurashtra.

Founder Chimanbhai's death in 1995, did not in any way hamper the trust activities, which are still carried out in full-swing. A large number of people provide honorary services, with only the maharajs, who prepare food, on the pay rolls, says Rasikbhai.

On expansion of activities, Rasikbhai replies in the negative, pointing out, ``I am not sure whether the next generation of our families will continue working as sincerity as today. At present, they are taking interest in the work, but tomorrow what happens, one never knows.''