Kochi: A drop of Rs 15 crore in revenue of Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala was recorded so far this pilgrimage season when compared to the corresponding period last time.
As against Rs 108 crore recorded for the first month of the pilgrimage season in 2014, the revenue collected so far this time was only Rs 93 crore.
“The adverse weather in neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu has resulted in steep dip in pilgrim flow to the temple which affected the revenue too. However, we expect more rush of inter-state pilgrims in the second leg of the two-month long pilgrimage season,” said Prayar Gopalakrishnan, president, Travancore Devasom Board.
In 2014, the total revenue collection at Sabarimala was Rs 203 crore as against Rs 175.85 crore in 2013.
Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) too recorded a dip in its earnings this time compared to the corresponding period last season.
“However, the situation is improving and the revenue collection has picked up since last week. We’ve deployed an additional 63 new buses to cater to the heavy rush expected for Mandalapooja festival on December 27,” a KSRTC official said.
The temple will be closed on December 27 and reopened again on December 30 for ‘Makaravilakku’ with ‘jyothi darshan’ as its highpoint on January 15.
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