SABARIMALA: The protests triggered by the Supreme Court verdict have not only affected shopkeepers and hoteliers but the Sabarimala temple revenue collection as well. The temple suffered a dip of around Rs 3 crore when compared to last year’s monthly revenue collection.
“In the same period last year, we collected a revenue of Rs 5 crore. But when we calculated this month’s revenue collection, there is a dip of nearly Rs 3 crore,” said temple executive officer D Sudheesh Kumar.
He blamed the protests and the recent flood for the dip in revenue. “Some devotees used to arrive at Sabarimala during the Thulam and Chingam monthly poojas. But due to the flood, no devotees were allowed to trek. The ongoing protests have also played spoilsport as they affected the arrival of devotees,” he said.
However, the revenue generation is expected to touch Rs 3 crore after the monthly pooja, he said.
“In the first two days, the number of devotees who came was comparatively low. But there was a rush of devotees on Saturday and Sunday. We hope this will result in revenue touching Rs 3 crore. But it is impossible to touch last year’s monthly collection,” said Kumar.