Temples to do away with VIP culture in AP
The endowments department, managing over 34,000 temples across the state, is trying to go in for a makeover to stem the growing criticism of mismanagement, overt importance to VVIPs, lack of facilities for ordinary devotees, corruption and other issues.
State Institute of Temple Administration (SITA) has begun consultations with officials, media and other sections of society to make temples people-friendly and ensure equality for all before God.
“Temple administration is drawing flak from devotees. One of the important issues is VIP protocol. Darshan of God is stopped to make way for VIPs which is drawing criticism,” Dr C. Vijaya Raghavacharyulu, the director of SITA, told this newspaper. “Is there any need for Poorna Kumbha Swagatham to saints, sages and VIPs when all are equal before God is the moot question posed by people,” he said.
Dr Raghavacharyulu said the SITA was also looking to implement temple traditions, ensure peaceful darshan of the deity and provide theertha, prasadam and other basic amenities to devotees at all the temples like accommodation, drinking water facilities and other basic needs.
“A misconception has crept in to the endowments department. Officials of the department are not government servants, but servants of God. They get salaries from the devotees offering to hundi and not paid by government,” he said.