UDUPI:IN the highest ever collection, the ‘Hundi’ at the famous South India’s temple of Sri Mookambika in Kollur here recorded a staggering income of Rs 1,10,66,278 in a single month of October. According to temple sources, this is the first time that Hundi collections have crossed the Rs 1,06,00,000 mark which was recorded in the temple about 18 months back. Along with a massive Rs 1,10,66,278 in October month (till October 24), devotees have also offered 870 grams of gold and 3.2 kg silver. This collection is an all-time high for the temple. The counting was made on October 24. The earlier highest tally was Rs 1.07 crore in May, 2014. The temple had recorded the hundi collection of Rs 84 lakh in 2013, again in May.
Temple sources told Express that the hundi gets about Rs 60 - Rs 70 lakhs per month and an equal or sometimes slightly more share through donations.
The temple’s income for 2013-14 was Rs 26.95 crore, a substantial jump from Rs 16 crore in 2008-09. A huge spike in the temple’s revenue is directly attributed to a big rise in devotee footfalls. Temple earnings during summer holidays usually see a jump as a lot of families plan their pilgrimage in that season. Temple management committee president Harish Kumar M Shetty told Express that the number of devotees visiting the shrine is on the rise month on month and year on year. A huge number of devotees come from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, besides Karnataka. He also attributed continuous holidays along with Dasara and Deepavali festivals to the increase in the collection.
The income from the special poojas conducted at the temple also fill its coffers.The funds collected are deposited in the bank for future developmental works at the temple.