The temples have no other means to augment revenuessince their doors have been closed for darshan to the publicsince March 24 when the Tamil Nadu government effected alockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Notwithstanding the present fiscal position, some of the'major' temples which always meet the needs of the less incomegenerating temples may be burdened to shell out an additionalamount to manage the other temples.
"On an average, about 150 temples, classified as majorones in terms of the revenue they generate through hundialcollections and other activities, have reported a completedecline in revenue," an official of the Hindu Religious andCharitable Endowments (HR&CE) department said.
The HR&CE manages 36,612 temples across Tamil Nadu andthe affluent temples carry out conservation/renovation /restoration from their own surplus fund.
Though an exact assessment of the revenue loss can onlybe made after the lockdown ends and normalcy regains, initialestimates reveal that each of those 'major' temples have lostRs 40 lakh to Rs one crore in cash offerings each during thelockdown, the official added.
The ancient Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple in Palani inDindigul district, for instance, receives about Rs one crorecash offering besides almost an equal quantum as proceeds fromthe sale of 'panchamritham' (prashad) rope car and winch.
The Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple, Sri Kapaleswarartemple and Vadapalani Andavar temple, all in the city, thefamous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai and SriBhagawathy Amman temple in Kanyakumari are among the 'major'revenue earning temples.
Even the Annadhanam scheme, patronised by the late ChiefMinister J Jayalalithaa, receives donations from devotees on adaily basis.
"Now this scheme is being used to feed the poor aroundthe temples who have been affected by the lockdown," theofficial pointed out. COR SA APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH