The Akhila Karnataka Hindu Temple Archakas, Agamikas and Upadhivantas Federation, an organization representing priests and temple staff, among others, demanded an increase in the monthly honorarium of thasthiks from the current ₹6,000 to ₹10,000. | Photo credit: file photo
The Akhila Karnataka Hindu Temple Archakas, Agamikas and Upadhivantas Federation, an organization representing priests and temple staff, among others, demanded an increase in the monthly honorarium of thasthiks from the current ₹6,000 to ₹10,000.
Even this revised amount would still remain below the minimum wages set by the government, the federation said at a press conference here on Monday, demanding a minimum monthly grant of ₹5,000 for puja materials. Other employees serving in temples should be paid a minimum monthly salary of ₹5,000, the federation said.
“More than 2 million individuals render round-the-clock service in temples across the state without any holidays. Along with the priests who conduct daily services, there are many assistants and support staff. Besides, many families depend on small businesses and related activities around the temples for their livelihood,” said federation president KE Radhakrishna and principal general secretary KSN Dixit.
They said that while the state government has introduced several welfare schemes, nearly 90% of the Muzrai temples located in rural areas, classified as ‘C’ grade, have not received adequate attention.
“It is commendable that more than 15,000 structures that have been encroached on temples have been restored in recent years. However, in Bengaluru and several other urban and rural areas across the state, tens of thousands of acres of land and valuable properties remain under illegal encroachment. Therefore, a high-powered special task force should be formed which could be set up within a fixed time frame. self-sustaining,” the federation demanded.
Published – 02 March 2026 23:22 IST
