Preservation of Sanatana Dharma, Revival of Ancient Temples Top Priority: Anam
The minister said initiatives were also being taken to promote Vedic traditions, Agama Sastras and value-based education
NELLORE: The state government is according top priority to the protection of Sanatana Dharma and spiritual traditions and the restoration of ancient temples to their former glory, endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said on Sunday.
He was speaking after inaugurating a newly constructed Kalyana Mandapam at the historic Sri Alaganatha Swamy Temple in Atmakur, built at a cost of ₹80 lakh with Endowments Department funds. Temple priests accorded him a traditional Poorna Kumbham welcome, following which he participated in special prayers.
The minister said the government was taking measures to ensure the continuation of daily Dhupa-Deepa-Naivedyam rituals in temples across the State. The scheme was being implemented in around 6,800 temples, including 135 temples in Atmakur constituency, where about ₹1.62 crore was being spent, he said.
Anam said the government had taken up a programme to construct 5,000 Bhajan Mandirs in areas without temples. As many as 110 had been sanctioned in Atmakur constituency at an estimated cost of `40.20 crore.
He said 77 small and neglected temples in the constituency had also been sanctioned for repairs, painting and other development works, with ₹5 lakh allocated for each temple.
Special attention was being given to protecting ancient and historic temples, he said, adding that restoration works would be undertaken scientifically with the assistance of archaeology department experts.
The minister said initiatives were also being taken to promote Vedic traditions, Agama Sastras and value-based education. An Ashram school under the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham would be established in the Atmakur region to impart Vedic principles, moral values and cultural education to children.
