Andhra Pradesh Unveils Major Temple Renovation Initiative

Tirupati: The state government has announced an ambitious plan to renovate and develop 231 temples under the 6A category (with an income ranging between Rs 25 lakh to Rs1 crore annually), along with seven major temples across the state.

The initiative was unveiled by State Minister for Endowments, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, during the Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the Sri Kamakshi Devi Sametha Sri Bheemalingeswara Swamy Temple in Vangallu, Nellore district, on Sunday. Anam, along with MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, participated in the consecration rituals of the temple.

Speaking on the occasion, the Endowments Minister explained that the NDA government is planning to redesign these temples to evoke a strong sense of devotion and provide a serene environment for devotees. The renovations will incorporate elements of Sanatana Hindu Dharma, Vedic culture, and Agama Shastras to preserve the temples' traditional and spiritual significance.

The Minister also announced enhancements to prasadam offerings at temples under the state's Endowments Department. Following the directives of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the financial assistance provided under the Dhupa Deepa Naivedyam scheme to 5,400 temples across the state will be increased from `5,000 to `10,000 per month, starting this month. Additionally, the monthly honorarium for priests in temples with an annual income exceeding `50,000 will be raised from `10,000 to `15,000.

Ramanarayana Reddy also disclosed that the Chief Minister has directed an increase in financial assistance for constructing new temples under the TTD's SRIVANI Trust. “The assistance, previously capped at Rs 10 lakh, will now range between Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This reflects the government's commitment to the development of temple infrastructure across the state,” he said.

Minister Anam and MP Vemireddy also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Primary Health Centre in Krishnapuram village, Marripadu Mandal. The Rs 2.65 crore project is expected to benefit around 25,000 people in the area. Minister Anam outlined plans to develop Marripadu as a model region over the next decade, announcing infrastructure projects including two national highways, a new railway project, and irrigation initiatives to transform the area.

Later, the Minister and the MP jointly inaugurated two mineral water plants named VPR Amruta Dhara in Brahmanapalli village of Marripadu Mandal. Established under the VPR Foundation, these plants aim to address drinking water shortages in the region. Minister Reddy commended MP Vemireddy's commitment to public service, highlighting the service-oriented nature of these projects, which are funded independently without reliance on government resources.

MP Vemireddy explained that the mineral water plants are being established with a service-oriented goal, specifically targeting areas where drinking water problems are acute. He mentioned that this was not their first such project, noting that they had started setting up RO plants in Udayagiri as early as 2017. He emphasised that these water plants are being funded with their own resources, without relying on government support.