Booming business of temple

 We all know that the richest temple in India is Tirupati and it kept this reputation intact.

The hundi at the temple, ended calendar year 2019 with a record increase of 9%. Overall income (excluding gold, silver and other precious stones) alone stood at a staggering Rs.1,162 crore v/s Rs.1,066 crore in 2018, up by Rs.95 crore.

And if the hospitality sector otherwise is having a tough time, revenue earned by way of letting out of cottages and guest houses on a daily rental basis at Tirupati also stood at an all-time high of Rs.84 crore in 2019 v/s Rs.79 crore in 2018, a rise of 6%. Unlike in previous years, the occupancy ratio of the cottages and guest houses stood at a 106%, higher by 7% (YoY).

Laddus also did roaring business. It sold 12.5 crore units (pieces) of laddus v/s 11.06 crore the previous year.

About 6.46 crore pilgrims partook free meals at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Nitya Annadaanam Complex against 6.09 crore in 2018, there was a slight decline in the devotees availing themselves the hot beverages in the darshan lines (outside the Vaikuntam Complex) who numbered around 3.71 crore, less by 15.16 lakh.

Mind boggling numbers ……