TDB president PS Prashanth said the revenue amount would increase after coins offered by pilgrims as "kanikka" were counted.
Published Dec 26, 2023 | 3:51 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 26, 2023 | 3:53 PM
Sabarimala Temple. (Wikimedia)
The revenue collection at Sabarimala crossed ₹200 crore on Tuesday, 26 December, as the first leg of the two-month-long annual pilgrimage season is set for culmination with the auspicious Mandala Pooja on 27 December.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the apex temple body which manages the Lord Ayyappa shrine, on Tuesday, said that the temple has received ₹204.30 crore as revenue in the last 39 days till 25 December.
Addressing a press conference in Sabarimala, TDB president PS Prashanth said the revenue amount would increase after coins offered by pilgrims as “kanikka” were counted.
Of the total revenue of ₹204.30 crore, ₹63.89 crore was offered as “kanikka” by devotees and ₹96.32 crore was garnered through the sale of “aravana” (sweet offering), he said.
“Appam”, another sweet offering sold to pilgrims, earned a revenue of ₹12.38 crore, he added.
While mentioning the heavy rush being witnessed at the hill shrine during the ongoing annual pilgrimage season, the TDB president said as many as 31,43,163 devotees visited and offered prayers at Sabarimala till 25 December during the season.
Stating that the TDB could ensure better facilities for pilgrims despite its limitations, Prashanth said the board has provided free food to 7,25,049 people through its “Annadana Mandalam” here till 25 December.
After the Mandala Pooja, the shrine would be closed at 11 pm on Wednesday, 27 December, and would be reopened on 30 December for the Makaravilakku rituals.
Sabarimala hill shrine would witness the Makaravilakku ritual on 15 January, Prashanth added.
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