Revenue Surge at Lord Ayyappa Temple: A Pilgrimage to Prosperity

The Lord Ayyappa temple has experienced a notable increase in revenue during the first 15 days of the annual mandala-makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Collections reached Rs 92 crore, a 33.33% rise from last year, largely driven by 'aravana' sales. The pilgrimage season sees thousands of pilgrims visiting the temple.

The Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala has witnessed a significant boost in revenue during the initial fortnight of its annual mandala-makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Recent figures show total revenue collections soaring to Rs 92 crore, marking a substantial 33.33% increase from last year's Rs 69 crore, as disclosed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Monday.

A major portion of the earnings stemmed from the sales of 'aravana', a sweet delicacy, which accounted for Rs 47 crore. This reflects a notable spike of 46.86% compared to the previous year's Rs 32 crore. Revenue from 'appam' sales remained steady at Rs 3.5 crore, according to the TDB statement.

There was also a rise in 'kanikka' or hundi collections, which climbed from Rs 22 crore in 2024 to Rs 26 crore this season, reflecting an 18.18% increase. With approximately 13 lakh devotees visiting the hill shrine by November 30, the pilgrimage has drawn considerable attention, and the season is set to conclude in January 2026.