Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, May 31: Kukke Lord Subrahmanya Temple, considered to be the richest in the state among the temples under the control of muzrai department, registered collection of Rs 66.76 crore in the previous fiscal. Malai Mahadeshwara temple in Chamarajanagar district with an annual income of Rs 31 crore, and Kollur Goddess Mookambika Temple having gross annual collection of Rs 20 crore, stand at a distant second and third positions respectively in the state.

The temple, which scaled to the top spot with a collection of Rs 24.3 crore in 2007-08, has since seen a gradual rise in its income over the previous years. Out of the net income after deducting expenses, steps are being taken to execute three-tier master plan costing Rs 180 crore, outlay of which has since been revised to Rs 250 crore.

President of temple governing council, Krishnaprasad Madthila, said that the number of devotees visiting the temple ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 in any day, with many more paying obeisance on weekends and festival days. He said that lion share from the net earnings of the temple is being diverted towards execution of master plan of providing underground drainage, expansion of road between River Kumaradhara and temple, water supply etc. He expressed the confidence of executing all the three phases of the master plan within the next two years.