VIJAYAWADA: Following demonetisation, temples across Andhra Pradesh have been overflowing with offerings in the last three weeks. A conservative estimate of the endowments department says hundi collections since November 9 were set to record a whopping £18- 20 million. A senior endowments official said that major shrines, including Srisailam, Simhachalam, Vijayawada Kanaka Durga, Ahobilam, Mantralayam, Kotappakonda, Srikalahasti and Dwaraka Tirumala, have witnessed a huge rise in hundi revenue after demonetisation of high denomination notes.
Curiously, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam officials asserted that there wasn't any abnormal surge in hundi offerings. "Our hundi collection, on an average, is between £250,000 and 300,000 per day. The collection was normal except for a day in the last three weeks when it swelled to £415,000," a TTD official said.
As Tirumala is a major pilgrim destination, daily counting takes place. But at several other temples, it's not the same. "We will get a clear picture by December-end. However, there is a steep increase in hundi collections in all the temples," a senior official said. A part of the increased hundi offerings could be attributed to Karthika Masam, he stated. Since the old high denomination notes are accepted in banks for deposits till December 30, endowments officials said the trend would continue till then.
"Due to demonetisation, temples saw an unprecedented rise. On an average, there is 20 per cent increase and the trend is likely to continue till December 30," said K B Venkateswara Rao, endowments assistant commissioner, Guntur district.
Meanwhile, all the revenue generated at temples is being sent to various banks to ease cash crunch. "We are diverting every paisa of temple revenue to banks in adherence to the directions of CM N Chandrababu Naidu," officials said.
