Sabarimala Temple Revenue Reaches Rs 440 Crore During Festival Season
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Travancore Devasom Board announced that Sabarimala temple's earnings during the recent two-month festival season rose by Rs 80 crore, totaling Rs 440 crore. This figure only includes revenue from the temple town on the hilltop, with further earnings expected from surrounding areas.
Key Takeaways
- Revenue for the festival season reached Rs 440 crore.
- Income increased by Rs 80 crore from the previous year.
- One lakh additional pilgrims visited this season.
- Ropeway might be introduced next season.
- Temple is located at an elevation of 914 metres.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 (NationPress) The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), responsible for the management of the renowned Sabarimala temple, announced on Tuesday that the revenue during the two-month festival season, which concluded last week, surged by Rs 80 crore to reach Rs 440 crore, compared to the last season.
The TDB also mentioned that this revenue figure of Rs 440 crore only reflects earnings from the temple town situated on the hilltop.
Income generated from the base areas at Pamba and Nilackal has yet to be included, which means the total earnings are likely to increase.
Additionally, the TDB highlighted that there was an increase of one lakh pilgrims this year compared to the prior year. The State Minister for Devasoms, V. N. Vasavan, noted that the anticipated ropeway from the foothills to the temple could be operational by next season, providing assistance to the elderly and those unable to trek up the hill.
The Sabarimala temple is located in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 914 metres above sea level, approximately four kilometres uphill from Pamba in the Pathanamthitta district, which is around 100 km from the state capital.
This temple, which restricts the entry of women who have reached puberty, is only accessible on foot from the Pamba River.
As per tradition, pilgrims typically observe a rigorous 41-day penance before embarking on their journey to the sacred shrine, during which they refrain from wearing shoes, dress in black dhotis, and adhere to a vegetarian diet.
Each pilgrim carries an 'Irumudi', a prayer kit that includes coconuts, which are broken just before ascending the 18 steps at the Sannidhanam. Without it, entry onto these sacred steps is prohibited.
The TDB also confirmed that one lakh additional pilgrims visited the temple this season compared to the last.
