Andhra Pradesh Allocates Rs 813 Crore for Development of 692 Ancient Temples
The Andhra Pradesh government has committed Rs 813 crore to revitalize 692 ancient temples. The initiative includes expanding welfare schemes, digitizing property records via blockchain, and implementing AI-driven management systems at major sites like Tirumala to enhance devotee experiences and preserve heritage.
Highlights
- •Andhra Pradesh allocates Rs 813 crore from the Common Good Fund for 692 ancient temples.
- •Expenditure for the Dhupa Dipa Naivedyam scheme has been increased to Rs 73 crore.
- •Blockchain technology is being utilized to digitize 4.48 lakh acres of temple property.
- •AI-integrated management systems successfully handled 25.46 lakh devotees in Tirumala during May 2026.
The Andhra Pradesh government has officially announced a significant investment of Rs 813 crore from the Common Good Fund (CGF) aimed at the development and restoration of 692 ancient temples across the state. This initiative, highlighted by the Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, coincides with the government celebrating two years of its current tenure, emphasizing a commitment to preserving cultural and spiritual heritage.
A major focus of this funding involves upgrading the Dhupa Dipa Naivedyam scheme, which has seen its annual expenditure budget climb from Rs 35 crore to Rs 73 crore. This enhancement is set to benefit over 6,137 temples. Furthermore, the state has planned the development of 5,000 Sri Vani Bhajana Mandirs with a budget of Rs 750 crore, supported by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), alongside an additional project for 1,270 Bhajana Mandirs costing Rs 267 crore.
Modernizing Temple Management and Spiritual Infrastructure
Beyond financial allocation, the state is prioritizing the modernization of temple property records. Anam Ramanarayana Reddy confirmed that a blockchain-based digitization process has been launched for properties spanning 4.48 lakh acres across 22,672 temples. To improve governance, trust boards have been established in 970 temples, ensuring balanced representation by including both a Brahmin and a Nayee Brahmin member on each board, thereby increasing operational accountability.
Public engagement with these religious sites has risen notably, with the minister reporting a 70 percent increase in devotee footfall over the last two years. Currently, 111 temples facilitate the Annadanam program, serving approximately three crore devotees annually. Looking ahead, the government is preparing for major events, including the Godavari Pushkaralu 2027. Projects worth Rs 71.60 crore have already commenced to upgrade spiritual amenities in 22 temples for this massive event, which is expected to mirror the scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela, complete with eco-friendly Green Pushkaralu bathing ghats.
To ensure long-term preservation, the administration has formed high-power committees at both the state and district levels. The state-level committee includes high-ranking officials such as the DGP, the IG, and the Endowments Commissioner. District oversight will be managed by Collectors, SPs, and endowment officials.
Finally, the state is leveraging advanced technology for crowd management. In Tirumala, artificial intelligence (AI) has been successfully deployed to manage queue lines, traffic, security, and sanitation through an integrated command and control system. This technological leap contributed to the orderly management of over 25.46 lakh devotees during May 2026 alone.
