Blessings for 5,600 Temples: AP Boosts Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme
The announcement was made by endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy during the inauguration of a newly built assistant commissioner’s office for the Endowments in Ongole
Nellore: In a move that has brought joy to priests, devotees and communities across Andhra Pradesh, the AP government has expanded its flagship Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme. It now supports 5,600 temples with monthly grants of Rs 10,000 each to sustain daily rituals.
The announcement was made by endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy during the inauguration of a newly built assistant commissioner’s office for the Endowments in Ongole.
The office, constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore, is part of a state-wide initiative to strengthen the infrastructure supporting temple management and heritage.
“This is not just an administrative step, it’s a spiritual and cultural commitment,” Anam said, adding that proposals for an additional 300 temples were currently under review. “We are not only preserving traditions but empowering temples to function with dignity and devotion.”
The Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme, which provides funding for essential offerings and rituals, has grown remarkably under the current coalition government. In contrast to the 5,000 temples supported by previous administrations, the current plan benefits 5,600, marking a clear commitment to religious service and cultural continuity.
Beyond ritual support, the government is investing in holistic temple development, the minister said and added that a sum of Rs 100 crore was earmarked annually for temple restoration and construction, apart from providing monthly honorariums of Rs 3,000 for Vedic scholars, and up to Rs 20,000 for temple staff including archakas (priests) and Nayi Brahmins.
This is in addition to daily free meals (Nitya Annadanam) in major temples, following a directive from the chief minister.
“Temple activities are now being conducted strictly under the guidance of Agama scholars, ensuring religious authenticity. New green initiatives, including tree planting in temple premises, are also under way, Reddy said.
The newly inaugurated office in Ongole is just one of several such offices planned across the state. A regional joint commissioner office is also being set up in Tirupati, further decentralizing temple administration.
Minister Anam said, “We are witnessing a revitalisation in temple management. This is just the beginning. Our temples are not just places of worship—they are the soul of our society.”
