Renovated Yadagirigutta temple transforms local economy and tourism

The renovated Yadagirigutta temple has emerged as Telangana’s spiritual capital, attracting thousands of devotees daily and recording over Rs.212 crore annual income, while also boosting temple tourism and supporting local businesses, transport services and livelihoods in the region.

Hyderabad: In March 2022, the reopening of the renovated Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam marked the emergence of a new spiritual identity for Telangana.

Over the past few years, the temple at Yadagirigutta has evolved into the State’s spiritual capital, attracting devotees not only from Telangana but also from several southern States.

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Widely acclaimed for its magnificent sculptures, grand architecture and spiritual ambience, the temple has also been registering a steady rise in revenue. The shrine has now become the only temple in Telangana to record an annual gross income exceeding Rs 212 crore.

Temple authorities noted that the income has increased consistently over the last three financial years, in line with the growing number of devotees visiting the shrine.

On ordinary days, nearly 25,000 devotees visit the temple, while the number rises to around 50,000 during weekends, holidays and auspicious occasions. Officials said the influx has further increased during the summer vacation season, with devotees from neighbouring States arriving in large numbers.

A senior official associated with the renovation works observed that many visitors are captivated by the temple’s artistic grandeur atop the hill, but often overlook the transformation that has taken place beneath it.

According to the official, the temple redevelopment has significantly altered the local ecosystem, benefiting small traders, hotels, restaurants, transport operators, commercial establishments and real estate activities in the region.

The official added that the renovation of the Yadagirigutta temple has given a major boost to Telangana’s temple tourism sector and has improved livelihood opportunities for several small and middle-class families dependent on pilgrim activity.

Income and expenditure of the temple (in crores)

Year: 2023-24

Gross income: 2,24,25,87,230

Operational income: 1,51,00,40,535

Gross expenditure: 2,14,55,85,249

Operational expenditure: 1,19,53,76,018

Assessable income: 84,85,15,833

Year: 2024-25

Gross income: 2,12,67,17,925

Operational income: 1,46,44,88,835

Gross expenditure: 2,14,42,71,265

Operational expenditure:  1,19,52,75,758

Assessable income: 93,87,26,189

Year: 2025-26

Gross income: 2,43,49,28,461

Operational income:  1,50,39,84,742

Gross expenditure: 2,44,23,48,355

Operational expenditure: 1,28,52,99,602

Assessable income: 99,27,52,508