Surge in pilgrim numbers, so is revenue
The Hindu
1.66 lakh pilgrims visit Sabarimala till Monday afternoon, income is ₹14 cr.
With the easing of pandemic-related restrictions and increase in daily slots for darshan, pilgrim footfall at Sabarimala has recorded a sharp surge with a corresponding growth in revenue collection.
As per estimates, 1.66 lakh pilgrims visited the temple till Monday afternoon while the income stood around ₹14 crore. The total bookings under the virtual queue system till Sunday was 2.31 lakh.
According to Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials, the sale of Appam and Aravana and the collections through donation boxes accounted for the majority of revenue. The plan to lease out the remaining stalls at the Sannidhanam too witnessed an improved response with the rise in pilgrim flow. The overall income during the two-month season last year, which was severely scaled back due to COVID-19, was just ₹21 crore