Date:09/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/09/stories/2007070960161000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

All encroached temple lands to be taken back, says Endowments Minister

Staff Reporter

‘Aalayadarsini’ scheme to enable pilgrims book darshan tickets in advance on Internet

The Minister visits Kanakadurga temple for the first time after assuming charge
Temple trust board members’ help sought for development works

— PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

SWEET SCHEME: Endowments Minister J. Ratnakara Rao (second from left) launches a programme to give a big laddu as prasadam at Kanakadurga Temple atop Indrakeeladri hill in Vijayawada on Sunday.

VIJAYAWADA: Endowments Minister J. Ratnakara Rao on Sunday made it clear that temple lands under encroachments would be taken back very soon.

“Even if the lands are under the possession of influential persons, we will retrieve them,” he said while addressing a press conference after visiting Kanakadurga Temple here for the first time after taking over as Endowments Minister.

Mr. Rao said that the department would launch ‘Aalayadarsini’ scheme in a week, which would enable pilgrims wanting to visit Srisailam, Simhachalam, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala, Yadagirigutta, Vemulavada and Srikalahasthi temples to book darshan tickets and accommodation a month in advance on Internet. Though the scheme was to be launched by the Minister on Indrakeeladri on Sunday, it was postponed following the announcement of national mourning for a week in the wake of the death of former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar.

Veda pathasalas

Mr. Rao said Veda pathasalas would be opened in Krishna, Guntur, Nalgonda, East Godavari, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad, Chittoor and Anantapur districts soon. Referring to the development works on Indrakeeladri, he said works of a value of Rs. 25 crores, which were pending for the last two years, would be commenced within three months.

A three-acre site belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and located adjacent to Indrakeeladri would be taken on lease and developed as a pilgrim amenities centre, so that it would be easier to provide accommodation to pilgrims during Dasara and Bhavani Deeksha days, he said.

Following requests from devotees, Srichakrarchana laddu was put on sale in two sizes -- 400 grams and 800 grams, with the prices being fixed at Rs. 50 and Rs. 100, respectively.

“Our priority is to maintain sanitation in the temples and temple kitchens as well. Prasadam will be put on sale at counters at all temples only after offering it to the God in the form of Naivedyam,” the Minister said. Mr. Rao urged the members of the temple trust board and renovation committee to cooperate with officials to take up development works.

“The pilgrims will see a positive change at the temple by Dasara,” he said.

Commissioner of Endowments E. Sundara Kumar, in-charge Executive Officer of the temple S.S. Azad and others were present.