Sabarimala temple collections hit Rs 92 crore in first 15 days of pilgrimage season

Sabarimala temple’s collections reached Rs 92 crore in the first 15 days of the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, up 33per cent from last year. Aravana and appam sales contributed significantly, with around 13 lakh devotees visiting the hill shrine till November 30

Sabarimala (Kerala): The lord Ayyappa temple here has recorded a significant surge in revenue during the first 15 days of the ongoing annual mandala-makaravilakku pilgrimage season, with total collections touching Rs 92 crore.

This marks a 33.33 per cent increase from the Rs 69 crore generated during the same period last year, according to figures released by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Monday.

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A major share of the revenue came from aravana sales, which contributed Rs 47 crore—a sharp 46.86 per cent rise from last year’s Rs 32 crore, the TDB said in a statement.

Revenue from appam sales stood at Rs 3.5 crore, similar to last season, it added. Kanikka (hundi collections) also increased, rising from Rs 22 crore in 2024 to Rs 26 crore this season—an 18.18 per cent jump.

Aravana and appam are the major sweet offerings at Sabarimala. Aravana is a rich pudding made of rice, jaggery, and ghee, while appam is a sweet, ball-shaped offering prepared with rice, banana, and ghee.

Since the start of the season, the hill shrine has seen heavy footfall, with about 13 lakh pilgrims visiting Sabarimala up to November 30, the statement said. The mandala-makaravilakku pilgrimage season will conclude in January 2026.