Kukke temple income at least Rs. 88 crore

Mangalore Today News Network

Subrahmanya, April 26, 2016:  The richest Muzrai temple in Karnataka in the foothills of the Western Ghats in DK district is the Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple; it is reported that it has earned Rs. 88.35 crore in 2015-16, up by Rs. 11 crore from the previous year.  The temple’s income had risen by Rs. 9 crore in 2014-15, from Rs. 68 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 77.6 crore.

The temple gained fame after the visit of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in May 2006 when he performed several rituals. The income, which was Rs. 15.7 crore in 2005-06, increased to Rs. 19.76 crore after Mr. Tendulkar’s visit. The income continued to increase thereafter.

The temple has since seen a steady increase in flow of celebrity devotees, including cricketers Ravi Shastri, Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Juhi Chawla, members of the Raj Kapoor family, industrialist Vijay Mallya, former PM H.D. Kumaraswamy, and others.

The role of astrologers too has had a big impact on the arrival of devotees, with many prescribing ‘Sarpa Samskara’ or ‘Naga Pratishthe’ or ‘Ashlesha Bali’. A large chunk of the temple’s income accrues from performance of various sevas, with some having a long waiting list.

During 2015-16, the temple earned Rs. 36.33 crore from sevas, followed by Rs. 19.91 crore from Hundi offerings and Rs. 18.25 crore through interest.  The rush during the holiday season is on the rise.