Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the region, has turned ‘Lakshmi’ this year, by becoming rich during Dasara.
Chamundeshwari temple has created a record by receiving its highest-ever revenue of `10.79 lakh in the first four days of Navarathri, which began last Saturday.
Muzrai tahsildar Yathiraju Sampathkumaran told Express that the crisis in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh might be a reason for the sudden increase in the number of tourists to Chamundi temple. “Tourists deprived of going to Tirupati, Mahanandi, Srisailam, Mantralaya and other places have thronged here. There is a nearly 30 per cent increase in the number of devotees,” he said. On Sunday alone, a day after the Dasara festivities began, the revenue was `5.32 lakh. The entire temple revenue from the Dasara in 2012 was `4.74 lakh.
There is heavy rush at the temple which is open from 7.30 am to 2 pm, 3.30 pm to 6 pm and 7.30 to 9 pm daily. Most tourists, including the middle class, don’t wait for a long time. They take darshan through the special or direct entry. Sampathkumaran said about 20,000 devotees have been visiting the temple as against 5,000 to 8,000 on normal days.
The temple revenue comes from the entry fees for direct and special darshan. There are also different kinds of sevas, including e-seva.
“The hike of the Rs 20 special entry fee by Rs 10 has contributed to the revenue. The fee for direct entry is Rs 100, which ensures darshan without a long queue,” he said.
E-seva is also picking up slowly. Devotees can get the blessings of the presiding deity at a click of the button, the official said. The festival is being celebrated in a grand manner this year, owing to good rainfall.
“This is another reason for the increase in the inflow of tourists to the city as well as temple,” an official said.
The day-wise revenue was Rs 1.83 lakh on October 5, Rs 5.32 lakh on October 6, Rs 1.37 lakh on October 7 and Rs 2.26 lakh on October 8.
The component of the entry fee on the respective days was Rs 1.28 lakh,Rs 4.64 lakh, Rs 1.37 lakh and Rs 2.26 lakh respectively.