KATHMANDU: The Pathibhara temple in Taplejung has collected over Rs 3.3 million in offerings during the first three months of the current fiscal year. According to data released by the Pathibhara Area Development Committee on Saturday, a total of Rs 3,326,650 was collected between mid-July and mid-October.
Executive director of the committee, Prajin Hangbang, stated that the monthly breakdown includes Rs 318,500 in the first month, Rs 1.36 million in the second month, and Rs 1.64 million in the third month. During this period, 20,522 devotees visited the temple to offer prayers. Specifically, 2,469 pilgrims visited in the first month, 6,123 in the second, and 11,930 in the third.
The data indicates a decline in both revenue and visitor numbers compared to the same period last year. During the corresponding three months last year, the temple collected Rs 5.41 million in offerings from approximately 36,000 pilgrims. This year, the collection has decreased by nearly Rs 2.1 million. The committee attributed the reduction in the number of pilgrims to factors including the recent floods in the Bhotekoshi river.
