Durga temple earns Rs 2.1 cr income during Dasara

Vijayawada: The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri here has earned approximately Rs 2.10 crore in revenue during the first eight days of the Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities, from October 11 to 18. Around 10 lakh devotees visited the hill shrine and had darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga during the period. The Dasara Sarannavaratri celebrations are being held from October 11 to 20, with an estimated 25 lakh devotees, including Bhavani devotees, expected to visit the temple during the festivities.

The temple authorities expect the rush to increase on the ninth and tenth days of the festivities and during the three days following the celebrations, particularly with the arrival of Bhavani devotees. With the overall footfall expected to rise, the temple has planned to prepare an additional 30 lakh laddus to meet the anticipated demand.

The income generated during the first eight days came from various sources, including darshan, prasadam, pujas, publications, photographs, calendars and kesha khandanam (tonsuring). On Sunday (October 18), the temple recorded its highest daily revenue during the period at Rs 35.15 lakh. It earned Rs 31.21 lakh on October 16, Rs 29.83 lakh on October 15, Rs 26.01 lakh on October 17, Rs 17.13 lakh on October 14, Rs 16.29 lakh on October 13, Rs 25.41 lakh on October 12 and Rs 29.01 lakh on October 11.

Meanwhile, the temple sold 16,13,393 laddus during the first eight days of the festivities. Daily sales stood at 1,45,186 on the first day, 1,20,783 on the second, 1,48,119 on the third, 1,67,711 on the fourth, 2,17,730 on the fifth, 3,15,342 on the sixth, 3,02,522 on the seventh and 2,02,000 on the eighth day.

To ensure the smooth distribution of prasadam, the temple has made 19 laddu counters available at different locations. These include 11 main counters, comprising nine regular and two online counters, one ATM laddu counter, three counters at the railway station, two at the bus stand and one VIP counter uphill.

Four additional emergency or other distribution points have also been arranged. The temple authorities have taken advance measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of laddus in view of the expected increase in demand.

Laddus are being supplied in six-laddu and three-laddu boxes, as well as individually, according to devotees’ requirements.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dasari Srinivasa Rao

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Dasari Srinivasa Rao is a Staff Reporter with The Hans India, covering NTR and Krishna districts, with a primary focus on Vijayawada. He has 32 years of experience in journalism. His reporting spans a wide range of beats, including city and rural development, politics, irrigation, education, crime, and human-interest stories.

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