By IANS,
Sabarimala (Kerala): The famed Hindu temple of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district saw a record collection this season, crossing Rs.120 crore.
“This time in terms of collection and the number of pilgrims, it is an all-time record,” V.S. Jayakumar, executive officer of the Travancore Devasom Board that overseas the functioning of the temple, told IANS.
“In the 62-day season, ending on the 19th of this month, collections till yesterday (Friday) were Rs.121.71 crore, up by Rs. 16 crore during the festival season last year,” Jayakumar said.
He said the total number of coconuts that came in as offering crossed five crore.
The average daily collection during this season was Rs.2.17 crore and the highest ever collection of the day came prior to the Makar Jyothi on Jan 13 when it shot up to Rs.3.40 crores.
The Sabarimala temple is situated in the Western Ghat ranges at an altitude of 914 metres above the sea level and four km uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala.