AP Allocates Rs 813 Crore From CGF for Developing 692 Ancient Temples

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated Rs 813 crore from the Common Good Fund for developing 692 ancient temples in the state.

Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy disclosed this at a media briefing here on Monday, on the completion of two years’ rule by the present state government. “We enhanced the annual expenditure under the Dhupa Dipa Naivedyam scheme to Rs 73 crore from Rs 35 crore for such services in 6,137 temples, out of the targeted development of 5,000 Sri Vani Bhajana Mandirs at a cost of Rs 750 crore with the support from the TTD.”

This apart, the state accorded permission for developing 1,270 Bjana Mandirs at a cost of Rs 267 crore.

Ramanarayana said the government had initiated the process for blockchain-based digitalisation of temple properties spread over 4.48 lakh acres belonging to 22,672 temples. “We also set up trust boards in 970 temples and enhanced the accountability in their functioning and ensured the representation of a Brahmin and a Nayee Brahmin in every trust board.”

The minister also noted that Annadanam is being provided to three crore devotees in 111 temples per annum. In the last two years, the number of devotees visiting the temple had gone up by 70 per cent.

“We are also strengthening the spiritual basic amenities in 22 temples by preparing the master plans as per directions from the chief minister. Works have been started for 162 projects at a cost of Rs 71.60 crore for the Godavari Pushkaralu 2027, on the scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela.”

Alongside, bathing ghats are being developed with the concept of Green Pushkaralu.

The state government, he said, accorded top priority for protection of temples.”We had set up high power committees at both state and district levels. At the state level, DGP, IG and endowments commissioner are the members, while at the district level, collector, SP and endowments officials are the members.”

The endowment minister said that in Tirumala, AI is being used for services like queue lines management, rush of devotees, regulation of vehicular traffic, security, sanitation etc through an integrated command control system and this helped regulate the visit of a record 25.46 lakh devotees in May, 2026 alone.