Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to tighten security at all major temples in the state in the aftermath of the stampede that claimed the lives of six devotees in Tirupati on Wednesday night.
The endowments department on Friday issued instructions to all the major temples in Srisailam, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala, Srikalahasti, Kanipakam, Kadiri, Vanapalli etc to initiate all requisite measures in this respect.
The order said it is important to properly maintain the queue lines of devotees to avoid jostling and such other acts, resulting in stampede- like situations while they enter temples for darshan and prayers. Advance planning by temple authorities with the involvement of departments like police, revenue etc is a must.
Meanwhile, temples are getting set for the festival season. Several temples are erecting pandals, setting up barricades and arranging eatables like biscuits and milk for children in addition to the system of offering their devotees regular Annadanam and quality Prasadam for the Sankranti festival.
The order noted that the temples celebrate festivals on different occasions, like Durga temples the Dasara festivities while the Srisailam temple the Ugadi festival and the Annavaram temple events for the Karthika Masam. The Endowment department authorities have instructed them to make fool-proof arrangements for the devotees as per requirement.
It said chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with them some three months ago and issued a set of guidelines for queue line management, maintenance of quality in preparation and supply of Prasadam and adherence to standard procedures with regard to temple services to visiting devotees/pilgrims.
Officials said the present government is initiating reforms in the administration of temples, like according priority to the common people for darshan of the lord even by cancelling special darshans meant for VIPs, at times, in the Srisailam temple. Some temples are even providing free darshan by giving up the practice of selling tickets during important dates, as was evident at the Durga temple in Vijayawada etc.
Some temples have even adopted Real Time Governance to maximise their facilities for the devotees by providing online service for Abhishekam and booking of rooms.
The authorities have even come up with a proposal to engage retired police and military personnel for crowd management especially at times where large numbers of devotees are expected to visit the temples to avoid any trouble to them.
Endowments principal secretary and commissioner S Satyanarayana said, “We will enhance security arrangements at all major temples to avoid any trouble and shall arrange free darshan even by withdrawing VIP darshan at times.”
