Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister A. Ramnarayan Reddy on Monday announced that the state government has earmarked more than Rs 800 crore for the restoration and development of nearly 700 neglected ancient temples across the state.
Highlighting the achievements of the Endowments Department during the past two years under the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government, Reddy said the funding has been sanctioned under the ‘Sarvasreyonidhi’ scheme.
“We have created history by allocating Rs 813 crore under the Sarvasreyonidhi scheme for the development of 692 neglected ancient temples,” the minister said while addressing a press conference at the state secretariat.
Reddy also said the department has launched an ambitious programme to establish 5,000 ‘Srivani Bhajan Mandirs’ across Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 750 crore in collaboration with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati.
Of the proposed 5,000 worship centres, approvals have already been granted for 1,270 Srivani Bhajan Mandirs with an allocated expenditure of Rs 267 crore, he said. According to the minister, financial support under the ‘Dhoopa Deepa Naivedya’ scheme, which provides assistance for daily temple rituals including lighting lamps and offering prayers, has been significantly enhanced. The annual allocation for 6,137 temples has been increased from Rs 35 crore to Rs 73 crore.
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Reddy further said the department has initiated blockchain-based digitalisation of nearly 4.5 lakh acres of temple land belonging to 22,672 temples in a bid to safeguard and protect these properties from encroachment and disputes.
The minister noted that the government is also providing free meals under the ‘Annaprasada Vitarana’ programme to nearly three crore devotees every year across 111 temples in the state.
“Devotee footfall at major temples has increased by 70 per cent over the past two years. People's faith in temples has grown significantly,” he said. Reddy also highlighted preparations for the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu, saying the government intends to organise the event on the scale of the Kumbh Mela. As part of these efforts, 162 development projects have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 72 crore to improve infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims.
The minister said these initiatives reflect the government's commitment to preserving the state's rich spiritual heritage while enhancing facilities for devotees and strengthening temple administration across Andhra Pradesh.
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