Bhakti flying high as income surges in temples
Small and big temples across the state are overflowing with cash and other devotee offerings.
Hyderabad: Major temples across Telangana state have seen a sudden surge in cash offerings, ahead of the final hundi count for the 2015-16 financial year that will be taken up after March 31.
The hundi and other revenues at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Yadadri touched Rs 74 crore by January. The temple had earned Rs 76.68 crore last year. “We are sure to cross Rs 80 crore this financial year,” Yadadri temple executive officer Geetha told this newspaper.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had earmarked Rs100 crore to develop the temple, 70 km from Hyderabad, and the work is in progress. Mr Rao wants to promote the temple on the lines of the Venkateswara temple at Tirumala.
“The Chief Minister gave a big push to Yadadri and other temples. This has led to an increase in income of major temples. The government is trying to provide the best possible amenities to pilgrims,” said government adviser K.V.Ramanachary.
The hugely successful Godavari Pushkaralu, during which lakhs of people took a holy dip and visited major temples, boosted the temples’ earnings.Officials expect a similar effect from the Krishna Pushkaralu later this year.