Kateel: Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple has emerged as the fourth highest revenue-earning Muzrai temple in Karnataka, recording an income of ₹36.25 crore during the financial year 2024–25. The temple’s income has shown steady growth compared to the previous year, when it earned ₹32.53 crore in 2023–24, reflecting an increase in pilgrim footfall, donations, and service-related revenue.

According to official figures, the temple’s financial performance places it just behind Kukke Subrahmanya, Kollur Mookambike and Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, which occupy the top three positions in the list of Muzrai temples by income for the year.

Diverse sources of income

Temple authorities stated that Kateel Temple’s income is generated through a wide range of religious services, donations, rentals and investments. Revenue from various temple services alone amounted to ₹12 crore during the year.

Room rent contributed around ₹70 lakh, while building rent generated ₹44 lakh. Donations in the form of food offerings, educational contributions and hundi collections together accounted for nearly ₹6 crore. In addition, the e-hundi system generated ₹24 lakh, indicating growing use of digital donation platforms by devotees.

Traditional and cultural activities also contributed to the temple’s income. Donations linked to Yakshagana mela performances, Tatkal services and registrations formed part of the revenue stream. The main hundi collections alone amounted to ₹1.83 crore, while quick darshan tickets generated ₹14 lakh.

Another significant source of income was the sale of leftover clothes offered by devotees, which earned the temple ₹1.62 crore. The gold chariot festival donation contributed ₹6.40 lakh. Revenue from allied counters such as the fruit counter, saree photo counter and Nandini Milk Parlour equipment sales together stood at ₹82 lakh.

In addition, the temple earned a substantial ₹3.70 crore as interest from fixed deposits, underlining the role of prudent financial investments in strengthening its income base.

Expenditure focuses on staff, services and welfare

During the same financial year, the temple’s total expenditure amounted to ₹32.29 crore. A significant portion of this was spent on salaries and service delivery. Employee salaries accounted for ₹3.35 crore, while security personnel salaries came to ₹1 crore. Housekeeping staff salaries amounted to ₹39 lakh.

Service delivery and operational expenses stood at ₹1.15 crore, and ₹48 lakh was spent on maintaining the lighting system across the temple premises. Expenditure on postal services and daily worship-related activities totalled ₹4.27 crore.

Annadanam and social initiatives

Annadanam continued to be one of the temple’s major commitments, with ₹5.41 crore spent on providing free meals to devotees. In addition, ₹8 lakh was allocated for supplying hot meals to schoolchildren, reflecting the temple’s role in community welfare beyond religious activities.

Festivals and special religious events accounted for an expenditure of ₹1.12 crore. The temple also spent ₹1 crore on cattle and elephant maintenance, which is an integral part of traditional temple practices.

Infrastructure and educational spending

Kateel Temple has continued to invest in infrastructure development in the surrounding area. Around ₹50 lakh was spent on constructing a barrier behind Annapurna School, while ₹70 lakh was used for concreting the road behind the Nandini Residential House.

Education remains a major focus area for the temple. Expenditure on the upper primary and high school run by the temple stood at ₹1.33 crore. The undergraduate college received ₹2.85 crore, while the first-grade college incurred an expenditure of ₹4.16 crore during the year.

In addition, ₹50 lakh was placed as a fixed deposit with LIC to meet gratuity payments for retired permanent staff of educational institutions under the temple’s management. Another ₹50 lakh was spent on audit and related financial compliance.

Standing among Muzrai temples

With an income of ₹36.25 crore, Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple has secured the fourth position among Muzrai temples in Karnataka for 2024–25. Kukke Subrahmanya, Kollur Mookambike and Chamundi Hills temples occupy the top three ranks in terms of income this year.

Officials noted that Kateel’s consistent rise in revenue highlights strong devotee support, effective administration and diversification of income sources.

Conclusion

The financial performance of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple in 2024–25 underscores its importance not only as a major religious centre but also as an institution contributing significantly to social welfare, education and local infrastructure. With income exceeding expenditure and steady year-on-year growth, the temple continues to strengthen its role among Karnataka’s leading Muzrai temples.