Endowment Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy. File | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Endowment Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy attributes the surge in temple revenue and pilgrim numbers in Andhra Pradesh over the past two years to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s keen interest in temple tourism.
Temples managed by the state endowments department have seen an improvement in the number of pilgrims over the last two years, which has reflected in the growth of Hundred collections. This period coincides with the two-year tenure of the NDA government in the state.
Apart from temples managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an autonomous body, other major shrines are categorized as major and minor and managed by officials of Joint Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner cadres.
Repairs and renovations to many temples, along with improved facilities such as Prasadam distribution, waiting rooms, shelters and public toilets, have contributed to a surge in the number of people in several major temples.
Srisailam was the biggest beneficiary. The temple’s income increased from ₹178.8 million in 2023–24 to ₹199.9 million in 2024–25 and ₹217.2 million in 2025–26.
Footfalls at Srisailam temple increased from 82.18 lakh in 2023-24 to 101.51 lakh in 2024-25 and 119.71 lakh in 2025-26.
After Srisailam, the temples that saw growth in both revenue and impact were Sri Kanakadurga Temple in Vijayawada, Srikalahastheeswara Swami Temple in Srikalahasti, Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple in Visakhapatnam, Annavaram Swamikaka Temple in Kathayarai and Dharaja Dharaja Temple in West Godavari.
Among the temples managed by Deputy Commissioner cadre officers, the income of the Lova temple in Kakinada district has more than doubled from ₹23.09 crore in 2023–24 to ₹56.48 crore in 2025–26.
Mahanandi, Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi, Penchalakona, Mopidevi and Kadiri Narasimha Swami temples also saw a sharp increase in revenue.
“The NDA government is determined to restore the past glory in all temples. Devotees expect decent infrastructure and basic amenities in every temple, which we have provided during the last two years. Hence, the result is visible,” Mr. Reddy told The Hindu
The minister attributed the increase in voter turnout to the reform measures initiated by the government and especially to the keen interest shown by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to boost temple tourism in the state.
He said he hoped the inflow of devotees from neighboring states would continue to rise.
Published – 13 May 2026 14:25 IST
