A minister offers a silk dress at the Kanipakam temple

Andhra Pradesh is stepping up efforts to promote temple-based spirituality, with the government implementing the Dhupa Deepa Naivedyam scheme in 6,254 temples and spending around ₹75 crore annually, Edowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said on Monday.

Mr. Reddy made the announcement after offering a silk robe on behalf of the state government to Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy at Kanipakam on the opening day of the temple’s annual Brahmotsavams, which will continue till October 4.

He said the monthly assistance under the scheme has been doubled from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. He said the government has sanctioned ₹908 crore through the Common Good Fund for the development and renovation of 767 temples. The state has also set a target to build 5,000 bhajan mandirs through Sri Vani Trust with an allocation of around ₹750 crore. ₹609 crore has been sanctioned for 1,788 such centers so far.

Preparations have also begun for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams, which are scheduled from June 26 to July 7. The ministry has prepared 375 proposals involving an estimated ₹87 crore. Mr Reddy said trust boards had been set up for 996 temples since the coalition government came into office, while the process was underway for another 404.

Annadanam is provided in 111 temples, including daily service in 65. About 80,000 devotees get free food daily, with annual government expenditure estimated at ₹158 crore, the minister said.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 21:58 IST