Mon Mar 10 17:07:51 UTC 2025: ## Travancore Devaswom Board to Hike Temple Offering Rates, Restrict Elephant Parades
**Thiruvananthapuram, March 10, 2025** – The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced a 30% increase in offering rates at over 1,500 temples under its jurisdiction, excluding Sabarimala. TDB president P.S. Prasanth stated that the hike, effective immediately, complies with a High Court order permitting rate revisions every five years. The last revision occurred in 2016, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board cited rising costs of puja items and a significant increase in expenses, from ₹350 crore in 2016 to ₹900 crore last year, as justification.
In response to recurring accidents involving elephants at temple events, the TDB plans to consult the state government on restricting elephant parades. The Board proposes using elephants only during specific rituals like ‘aarattu’ and ‘pallivetta,’ opting for chariots on other festival days. This decision will be finalized after consultation with temple priests. High-volume sound systems (Nashik dholls), laser lights, and DJ performances during elephant events will also be banned.
Regarding the ongoing debate about lifting the shirt ban at TDB temples, Mr. Prasanth stated that the current discussion is “in the right direction.”
First Piper 