Sabarimala temple nets Rs 243.69 cr total revenue collection

Thiruvananthapuram: The total revenue collection of the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala for the 2016-17 festival season stood at Rs.243.69 crore, State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran told the Assembly today.

Hundi collection alone comes to around Rs.89.70 crore and sale of 'appam' was Rs.17.29 crore, Surendran said in a written reply.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country visit the hill shrine during the festival season between November-January every year.

The minister said the Centre has sanctioned Rs.46.14 crore for development of the Guruvayur temple under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).

Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd, the implementing agency, would execute the various works under the scheme, he added.