Thiruvananthapuram, November 23: The revenue of the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala has been hit drastically this year following the row over the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women of all ages. The footfall of the temple has gone down during the Mandalam season this year. According to reports, there has been a decline of over Rs 7 crore as compared to the revenue last year during this season. Kerala 'Dabangg' Cop Yathish Chandra Stops Union Minister at Sabarimala, Video Goes Viral.

Reports say that a footfall of just about 1.5 lakh pilgrims has been recorded between November 16 and November 22 evening, which is very low as compared to about 1 lakh pilgrims visiting the Lord Ayappa shrine each day last year during the Mandalam season. Sabarimala Temple Row: Religious Beliefs Shouldn’t Be Ignored, Says Mahila Congress Chief Sushmita Dev.

Reports say that the offerings by devotees in terms of rice units have also witnessed a huge dip as compared to last year. Another report says that the sannidhanam, that sees huge crowds every year, has a deserted look this year. RSS Behaving Like Taliban and Khalistan Terrorists by Creating Trouble in Sabarimala, Says CPI (M) Leader.

Over the past one month, Kerala has witnessed massive protests from devotees at various places, including Sabarimala, Nilakkal and Pamba, against permitting women of all ages to enter the shrine.

The Supreme Court had on September 28, in a 4:1 landmark judgment, opened the doors of Sabarimala Temple in Kerala for Ayyappa Darshan for women of all age groups, saying women are worshipped as goddesses and no biological reason can be given legitimacy.  The verdict by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had come on a number of pleas filed by Indian Young Lawyers Association and others challenging the ban on entry of women between 10 and 50 years of age into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

Violent clashes between the followers and police had erupted last month after the doors of the temple were reopened. No woman was allowed by the agitating devotees to enter the shrine despite heavy police deployment. Following violent protests,hundreds of protesters were taken into custody by the police for defying the Supreme Court verdict.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 23, 2018 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).