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Published 06:01 IST, November 19th 2019

Sabarimala temple's revenue crosses Rs 3 cr in first two days

The revenue of Sabarimala temple crossed Rs 3 crores in the first days of Mandalam season; the total revenue for the first two days this year was Rs 3.32 crore

Reported by: Nisha Qureshi
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The revenue of Sabarimala temple crossed Rs. 3 crores in the first days of Mandalam season. The total revenue for the first two days this year was Rs. 3.32 crore. The temple also received donations worth Rs. 1 crore in the first two days. The opening came just a few days after the Supreme Court referred the matter to a larger bench to re-examine religious issues including those arising out of its earlier verdict lifting a centuries-old ban on women of menstruating age visiting the shrine.

'Rs. 3.32 crore revenue on 1st day'

The Travancore Devaswom Board President N Vasu on Monday said that there was an increase of over 50 per cent in the revenue compared to last year.

" We got Rs. 3.32 crore revenue on the first day compared to Rs 2.04 crore last year. The devotees who visited this year are satisfied with the facilities we have arranged," he said. 

READ | Sabarimala authorities deny entry to 10 women devotees; police send them back from Pamba

Not an open ground for activism

According to sources, more than 70,000 devotees have offered prayers at the shrine since it was opened on November 16. The LDF government in Kerala had also said, this time the spot would not be an open ground for activism. Last year when the temple complex witnessed violent protests after the State Government decided to implement the September 28, 2018 verdict of the apex court allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine.

READ | Public prosecutor in Walayar sisters death case removed: Kerala CM

10 women sent back

10 women, aged between 10 to 50 years, were sent back from Pamba base camp which is nearly 6 km downhill from the temple on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government has made it clear that it would not provide security to any woman of menstruating age visiting the shrine. Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran stated that the government will not give permission or protection to women activists who come to Sabarimala. 

READ | Sabarimala devotees followed by stray dog for 480 km as they walk from Tirumala to Pamba

READ | BJP's Muraleedharan reacts to Sabarimala Temple row

(With ANI inputs)

Updated 07:27 IST, November 19th 2019