Record revenue collection at Sabarimala

Pathanamthitta, Dec 4 (UNI) Total revenue collection at the famed Sabarimala Ayyappa temple by December two touched record Rs 18 crore during the current Mandalam festival, which began on November 17.

According to Devaswom officials, the revenue was Rs four crore more compared to previous year collection during the same period.

The highest amount of Rs seven crore was collected through the sale of 'aravana payasam'.

While the hundi collection stood at Rs 6.81 crore, the sale of 'appam' generated Rs two crore.

As the flow of Ayyappa devotees increased, they had to stand in queue for more than two hours for darshan.

Meanwhile, forest officials and fire service personnel were trying to put out a small forest fire, which broke out at Pulmedu, seven km from the Sannidhanam.

UNI XR AJ RL BD1950