Overview
- Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy announced on Monday that Rs 813 crore from the Common Good Fund has been allocated to develop 692 neglected ancient temples across the state.
- The government doubled ritual support payments to Rs 73 crore for 6,137 smaller temples and raised monthly honoraria for 188 Vedic scholars from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, while continuing free food (annadanam) programs that serve around three crore devotees annually.
- Officials have begun blockchain-based digitalization of about 4.48 lakh acres of land covering 22,672 temples and have formed state and district high‑power committees of police and revenue officers to safeguard temple property.
- TTD’s AI-based Integrated Command and Control Centre, launched in September 2025, is credited with managing a record 25.46 lakh pilgrim visits in May 2026 and the Endowments Department has started 162 Godavari‑basin reconstruction projects costing about Rs 71.6–72 crore for the June 26–July 7, 2027 Pushkarams.
- The administration frames the measures as protection of Sanatana Dharma and says it will audit contested land entries and issue no‑objection certificates to farmers after verification, a step that could change how temple lands are held and how local communities receive services and benefits.