Devotess pray and pay for a better economy

BRIBING GOD? Temples in Andhra Pradesh have reported higher donations than ever before.

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Hyderabad: Cash may be dry in the economy, but the temples in Andhra are flooded with funds as people turn to god in these tough times. Temples in Andhra Pradesh and are reporting higher collections and donations than ever before.

Falling markets and worried investors, but the gloomy economic scenario is seeing temple coffers swell.

The state's most popular pilgrim destination, the Tirumala temple shrine at Tirupati, is expected to have an annual budget of more than Rs 1,300 crore in 2008 as against 2007's Rs 1,200 with an average revenue of Rs 1.72 crore per day. Which makes it second to the Vatican in terms of revenue.

Kamakadurga temple of Vijaywada has raked in Rs 16 crore in 2008 - a whopping Rs 3 crore more from the 2007 collection.

"The temple has seen large crowds this year," said Chief Executive Officer, Kanakadurga temple, Chandrakumar.

Many are requesting god for a better economy, and while many say you can't really bribe god with higher donations, others say in these times of economic distress this investment is the only that may reap benefits.