Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has launched a bold initiative to protect Hindu jobs within temples, ensuring that temple positions are reserved exclusively for those of the Sanatana faith. At a key meeting with the Hindu Religious Endowment Department, he emphasized this move as part of a broader strategy to prevent forced conversions and preserve the spiritual integrity of Andhra’s sacred Hindu sites.
Key Meeting To Boost Religious Meeting
CM Naidu, during a key meeting with officials from the Hindu Religious Endowment Department, laid out an extensive plan to revitalize temple management, promote religious tourism, and ensure spiritual and cultural integrity across Andhra Pradesh. The meeting, held at the Secretariat in Amaravati, underscored the importance of maintaining the sanctity of temples while introducing measures to enhance the overall experience for devotees.
Spirituality And Cleanliness At Forefront
Addressing the officials, Chief Minister Naidu emphasized the need for spirituality to flourish in every temple across the state. He insisted that temples and their surroundings be impeccably clean, ensuring the spiritual atmosphere remains intact. “Spiritual programmes should be conducted in such a way that devotees who visit the temple are inspired to return, without being extorted for money,” Naidu stated, highlighting the importance of creating a welcoming and serene environment for worshippers.
Temple Tourism
Recognizing the potential of temple tourism, especially in a state rich with religious heritage, Naidu announced the formation of a committee comprising officials from the Tourism Department, Hindu Charities Department, and Forest Department. This committee will oversee the development of temples, particularly those located in forested areas, ensuring that the natural beauty and spiritual significance of these sites are preserved while making them accessible to more visitors.
Strengthening Temple Trusts & Priests’ Welfare
In a significant move, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the number of trustees on the boards of temples that generate more than ₹20 crore annually, raising the number from 15 to 17 members. These additional members will include a Brahmin and a Nai Brahmin, ensuring a more inclusive representation within the temple management.
Naidu also addressed the financial welfare of priests and temple staff. He announced a wage increase for archakas from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per month, benefiting 1,683 priests across the state. Additionally, the monthly allocation for Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam (ritual offerings) in smaller temples will be doubled from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. This measure is expected to improve the quality of offerings and enhance the spiritual experience for devotees.
The government will provide a monthly incentive of ₹3,000 for Vedic scholars facing financial difficulties, and the minimum wage for Nai Brahmins (barbers, musicians) will be set at ₹25,000. These steps reflect the Chief Minister’s commitment to preserving and promoting traditional Hindu practices and supporting those who uphold them.
Combating Forced Conversions & Protecting Jobs In Temples
During the meeting, Naidu strongly condemned the incidents of attacks on Hindu temples during the previous Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy administration, including the burning of a temple chariot.
CM Naidu called for strict action against those responsible for such crimes and emphasized that forced religious conversions would not be tolerated in Andhra Pradesh. Jobs in Hindu temples will not be offered to people from other faiths.
“Forced conversion should not happen in Andhra Pradesh. Hindu temples do not offer jobs to people of other faiths,” he asserted, underlining the need to protect the religious identity of the state’s temples.
Naidu also announced that 87,000 acres of temple land currently occupied illegally would be reclaimed through legal action. “A visible change should be effected on temple premises to win the confidence of devotees,” he added, stressing the importance of restoring and safeguarding temple properties.
Naidu also proposed melting down silver offerings made to temples and converting them into coins bearing the images of the temple’s presiding deities. These coins would then be sold to devotees, providing them with a unique memento of their visit while generating additional revenue for the temples.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need to develop online systems for temple services, making it easier for devotees to book pujas and other rituals. He suggested improving accommodations near temples, potentially in partnership with private hoteliers, to encourage devotees to stay longer.
Furthermore, Naidu ordered an inquiry into any irregularities in temple management during the past five years, ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of temple affairs.
It is noteworthy that upon being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu first visited the Tirumala Tirupati temple and vowed to free TTD of corruption. He also criticised the previous YSRCP government, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy by accusing them of commercializing the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and mismanaging its affairs.
Naidu highlighted concerns about the quality and pricing of religious offerings, stressing the need to prevent black market activities around ticket sales for temple visits. He pledged to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the shrine. Expressing dismay at the alleged transformation of the temple into a hub for undesirable activities, Naidu vowed to initiate corrective measures starting from the Tirupati Temple.
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