Record revenue at Sabarimala; 429 crore rupees; 51 lakh pilgrims visit

Pathanamthitta: Sabarimala has recorded a record revenue during the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, with total income reaching 429 crore rupees as of January 12. In comparison, the revenue during the same period last year was 380 crore rupees.

Collections from appam and aravana amounted to 190 crore rupees, up from 160 crore last year, while offerings (kanikka) contributed 110 crore rupees, compared to 105 crore last year. The process of counting coins is still underway, and with additional staff deployed, it is expected to be completed before January 20.

Speaking at a press conference, Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar said that 51 lakh pilgrims had visited Sabarimala for darshan up to Monday. Of these, 44 lakh visited during the Mandala season, while seven lakh attended the Makaravilakku festival.

He added that the pilgrimage season is concluding as a complaint-free period. All arrangements for the Makaravilakku festival have been completed, with the main priority being the safe darshan and return of pilgrims. Preparations for the next Mandala–Makaravilakku season will begin in February, with a review of the previous season and planning for the new one starting on February 6.

This year, measures were taken to prevent pilgrims from booking rooms through recommendations. A larger number of rooms were made available online to the general public without any recommendation. Steps were also taken to curb certain improper practices related to donor houses, Jayakumar said.

Devaswom Board members K. Raju and V D Santhosh Kumar, along with Executive Officer O G Biju, were also present at the press conference.