Kochi: The revenue collection at Sabarimala surpassed ₹200 crore as the first phase of the two-month-long annual pilgrimage season is about to conclude with the Mandala Pooja on December 27. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the apex temple body managing the Lord Ayyappa shrine, announced that the temple had received ₹204.30 crore in revenue over the last 39 days until December 25.

TDB President P. S. Prashanth mentioned that the revenue figure would increase as coins offered by pilgrims as "kanikka" were yet to be counted. Out of the total revenue, ₹63.89 crore was offered as "kanikka" by devotees, and ₹96.32 crore was generated through the sale of "aravana" (sweet offering). The sale of "appam," another sweet offering, contributed ₹12.38 crore to the revenue.

Highlighting the substantial pilgrimage rush during the ongoing season, Prashanth noted that 31,43,163 devotees visited and offered prayers at Sabarimala until December 25. Despite the limitations, the TDB president stated that the board managed to provide better facilities for pilgrims and offered free food to 7,25,049 people through its "Annadana Mandalam" until December 25.

Following the Mandala Pooja, the shrine will close at 11 pm on Wednesday and reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku rituals. The Makaravilakku ritual at the Sabarimala hill shrine is scheduled for January 15, as mentioned by Prashanth.

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