Note ban after effects: Temples too hit by cash crunch

Hyderabad: The gods too are reeling under the impact of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday night.

“Since demonetisation, there is a drop in the number of visiting pilgrims despite it being Kartik Masam which attracts large numbers of devotees to all temples. Naturally, you need money for travel, stay, food, tickets etc. When notes are not valid, how can they spend? We don't check, but I feel pilgrims still dropped old notes in the hundi,” an official from the Basar temple said.

Normally, some 2,000 pilgrims visit the temple daily which goes upto 10,000 on Fridays, especially during Kartik Masam. Basar temple nets about '10 crore annually. Officials say the effect of demonetisation was felt in all major temples in the state.