The Hindu Business Line : Plans to make Palani a tourist destination

Yet, it is not on the guide book of upcountry travellers visiting places of historical interest and on a pilgrimage in the South. The temple administration has avowed to make this temple a model abode of worship and tourist destination in the State.

Theme park

The administration is in the process of establishing a theme park in the five-acre temple land, located on the Palani bypass road, on an estimated outlay of Rs 90 lakh. It has also earmarked some space for medicinal plants and shrubs. The park is expected to be opened in two months.

The accommodation facilities in the lodges belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandayudapani Swamy Temple Trust are being given a facelift and the renovation cost is estimated around Rs 3.95 crore. The administration is looking to acquiring land and creating additional accommodation facilities.

The average daily pilgrim turnout is said to be about 25,000 and during festive season, at over 5-6 lakhs.

Facelift to temple

‘We are in the process of enhancing and giving a facelift to the temple, keeping the pilgrims comfort and requirement in mind,’ the Chairman of the Trust, Dr S.V. Balasubramaniam, told Business Line.

Income

He said the temple’s income had increased steadily from Rs 42.35 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 74.77 crore in 2008-09. The hundi collection rose from Rs 9.25 crore in 2005-06 (Rs 12.71 crore) and Rs 14.99 crore in 2008-09. The entry fee collections also shot up to touch Rs 18.21 crore in 2008-09. (The temple follows the July-June accounting year).

Rope car earnings

The earnings from the rope car (introduced for the first time in a temple in the State in 2004-05) was just short of Rs 2 crore at Rs 1.99 crore in 2008-09.

It operates with four cabins on each side and with an hourly passenger capacity of 350.

The administration is contemplating a second ropeway system with higher capacity, Mr Rajamanickam, Executive Officer, said.

The age-old winch system is being strengthened and the pilgrim waiting area expanded and made more convenient.

There are 38 sub-temples attached to the Palani Dhandayudhapani Swamy temple. And the temple administration is drawing up plans to make this hill abode ‘Tamil Nadu Tirupati’.