Sabarimala pilgrimage: Revenue crosses Rs 110 crore, over 15 lakh pilgrims perform darshan

SABARIMALA: The number of pilgrims who have visited the Mandala-Makaravilak season so far has crossed 15 lakh. About Rs 110 crore has been received as revenue. Since the beginning of the Makaravilakku pilgrimage on December 30, Rs 25.18 crore has been received. TDB got Rs 7.5 crore from the sale of Aravana and Rs 80 lakh from the sale of Appam and got Rs 9.25 crore through offerings. The revenue was Rs84.93 crore during the Mandala Puja period. With only six days left for Makaravilakku, the footfall at Sannidhanam is ever increasing.

Most of the pilgrims are from neighboring states. A review meeting of various departments was held at Sannidhanam yesterday under the chairmanship of Devaswom Board President Advocate K Ananthagopan to evaluate the arrangements. Arrangements have begun for Makara Jyoti. Around 1.5 lakh pilgrims are expected to witness Makara Jyoti. Preparations have been completed to see Makara Jyoti at Pampa hilltop as well. 2000 to 5000 people are expected here as well. The Makara Samkrama time of the year is 2.29 pm on January 14. The doors of the sanctum sanctorum will not be closed even after noon pooja on that day and will be closed only after Sankrama pooja. It is not yet clear whether permission will be given for Makara Jyoti Darshan at Pullumedu.