Temple Treats

Tourism not only benefits the state but also the gods. Recently, a 30-member tour group of the French perfume giant, Douglas, gifted Rs 10 lakh to do up the century-old Kuppedikavu Devi temple at Vaikom. The visitors were hooked after the Kaimal family, which runs the temple, arranged a mini-festival with jumbos and traditional performances. They have also offered to fund the total renovation of the temple. The Kaimals are now looking forward to more home-stay bookings, the latest fad on the state tourism circuit. As Radhakrishnan Kaimal says, "These visits are welcome. We need publicity, funds for renovation." Another 60-member Douglas group is expected in February.