Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur
An official from Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti (PMDS), requesting anonymity, said, “This year, the footfall of devotees at Mahalaxmi temple was around 11.10 lakh whereas last year it was around 16 lakh. Last year, over six days in Navaratra, above 1.5 lakh devotees visited per day, whereas this year, only on the day of Durga Ashtami , the devotee footfall crossed the 1.5 lakh mark.”
We had an occupancy of 80% during Navaratra at our dormitory compared to full occupancy last year.”
Furthermore, there are no major elections scheduled anytime soon, which might have reduced the count of sponsored trips arranged for devotees by candidates in the election fray,” said an official from PMDS. Sourabh Kulkarni, a Yatri-Niwas owner from Khari corner near Mahalaxmi temple, said, “This year, the count of devotees from north Karnataka and parts of districts like Marathwada and Solapur region was lower compared to last year. “Our speculation is that drought situation in Maharashtra made the devotees avoid travel. The lower count of devotees also had an impact upon local businesses in Kolhapur.