v Temple trust boards: The number of members on temple trust boards will be increased from 15 to 17
v Religious tourism: The government aims to boost religious and temple tourism by forming a committee with relevant ministers
v No forceful conversions: There will be a ban on forceful conversions, and only Hindus will be allowed in temples to respect devotees’ sentiments.
v Purohit salaries and benefits: Salaries for purohits will rise from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, with additional funds allocated for temple rituals and support for unemployed Vedic scholars
PNS n Vijayawada
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has said that preserving the sanctity of temples must be a top priority across the State. He stated that devotees come to temples seeking peace and to share their sorrows with God,
underscoring the need to provide darshan in a serene environment. The CM highlighted the importance of maintaining cleanliness, offering quality prasadam, and ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in temples. He recommended that families visiting temples be allowed to stay for one or two days.
During a review meeting with the Endowments Department at the state Secretariat on Tuesday, CM Naidu declared that there would be no forceful conversions. The department is to organise programmes to safeguard the sentiments of devotees. He suggested that non-Hindus should not be permitted in temples to respect devotees’ feelings and that officials should prioritise the sentiments of devotees and adherence to Agama Shastra.
The CM proposed developing temple tourism in Andhra Pradesh, citing significant opportunities. A committee comprising Ministers from the Endowments, Forest, and Tourism Departments will be formed to promote religious tourism. If the income exceeds Rs 20 crore, the number of board members will be increased from 15 to 17, with one Brahmin and one Nayee Brahmin to be included as Trust Board members, as promised during the election.
Additionally, the CM announced a salary increase for purohits from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, benefiting 1,683 purohits. The government will allocate Rs 10 crore annually for this purpose. The stipend for Dhupa Deepam will rise from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, adding Rs 32 crore to the government’s expenditure. Unemployed Vedic scholars will receive Rs 3,000 in assistance, and Nayee Brahmins’ minimum wages will be set at Rs 25,000.
CM Naidu also reviewed ongoing projects under the CGF and Srivani Trust, instructing the completion of some works started by the previous government while halting 1,797 temple projects under the TTD Srivari Trust.
He proposed reinstating Aarti ceremonies on the Godavari and Krishna Rivers and recommended implementing an online system in every temple to offer services online. Devotees should have the opportunity not only for darshan but also to perform special pujas. The CM suggested that private partnerships be explored to build hotels to accommodate devotees from all walks of life. Authorities were advised to acknowledge and honour those who donate to temples.
