Kedarnath Temple's Revenue Soars Amid Pilgrimage Resurgence

Kedarnath Temple's earnings more than doubled from Rs 22.04 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 52.9 crore in 2023-24. The increase followed a drop in revenue due to COVID-19 restrictions. As pilgrim numbers surged post-pandemic, offerings, donations, and additional services revenues rose, bolstering the temple's income.

Kedarnath Temple's earnings witnessed a substantial spike, more than doubling from Rs 22.04 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 52.9 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, according to an RTI response.

The temple's income plummeted to Rs 16.52 crore in 2021-22 amid COVID-19, but rebounded with eased restrictions and a revival in pilgrim numbers, hitting Rs 52.9 crore in 2023-24.

Donations, offerings, and priority services, including helicopter-based darshan, contributed significantly to the temple's finances as devotees returned in droves following the pandemic.