Andhra Pradesh Allocates Rs 800 Crore for Development of Ancient Temples
The Andhra Pradesh government has earmarked Rs 800 crore to restore 692 ancient temples through the Sarvasreyonidhi scheme. The initiative includes building 5,000 Bhajan Mandirs, increasing ritual funding, and using blockchain to protect 4.5 lakh acres of temple land.
Highlights
- •Andhra Pradesh government allocates Rs 800 crore for the restoration of 692 ancient temples under the Sarvasreyonidhi scheme.
- •Plans initiated to build 5,000 Srivani Bhajan Mandirs with Rs 750 crore, supported by the TTD.
- •Annual budget for dhoopa deepa naivedya rituals doubled to Rs 73 crore to support 6,137 temples.
- •Blockchain technology is being deployed to secure and digitalize 4.5 lakh acres of temple-owned land.
The state government of Andhra Pradesh has officially announced a significant financial commitment toward the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Endowments Minister A Ramnarayan Reddy confirmed that more than 800 crore rupees have been allocated for the comprehensive development of 692 ancient temples that had previously been neglected.
This initiative, launched under the government's Sarvasreyonidhi scheme, aims to revitalize these historical religious sites across the state. The announcement was made during a press briefing at the secretariat, where the minister highlighted the achievements of the Endowments Department over the past two years under the current administration. Officials stated that this funding is a crucial step in ensuring that the historical and spiritual significance of these ancient structures is preserved for future generations.
Expanding Religious Infrastructure and Heritage Protection
Beyond the allocation for ancient temples, the department has outlined ambitious plans to improve overall worship facilities. Minister A Ramnarayan Reddy revealed that the government has set a goal to construct 5,000 Srivani Bhajan Mandirs, which will serve as dedicated spaces for worship. This project is being carried out with the collaborative support of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple. Approvals have already been granted for the initial phase, which includes the development of 1,270 mandirs with a sanctioned budget of 267 crore rupees.
The government is also enhancing support for daily religious observances. The annual funding allocated for the dhoopa deepa naivedya scheme—which covers essential rituals like lighting lamps and food offerings—has been doubled from 35 crore rupees to 73 crore rupees, benefiting 6,137 temples across the region. Furthermore, the Endowments Department is modernizing land management by implementing blockchain-based digitalization for 4.5 lakh acres of land linked to 22,672 temples, a measure intended to safeguard temple properties from encroachment.
The impact of these policies is already visible in increased engagement from the public. According to official reports, footfalls in major temples have surged by 70 percent over the last two years, reflecting a renewed public connection to these sacred sites. Additionally, the department is currently focused on logistical preparations for the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu, with 162 developmental projects worth 72 crore rupees already underway to facilitate the pilgrimage, similar in scale and organization to the historic Kumbh Mela.
