Andhra Pradesh restoring 684 ancient temples at a cost of ₹808 crore, says Endowments Minister
As many as 684 ancient temples across Andhra Pradesh are being developed at a cost of ₹808 crore, Minister of Endowments Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said
As many as 684 ancient temples across Andhra Pradesh are being developed at a cost of ₹808 crore, Minister of Endowments Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said in Nellore on Sunday (July 5, 2026). He was speaking after performing the ‘Bhoomi Puja’ (groundbreaking ceremony) for the reconstruction of three temples located in the villages of Perumallapadu, Chejarla, and Chittaluru in the SPSR Nellore district, at a cost of ₹5.50 crore. He stated that the funds for the reconstruction of the historic Nageswara Swamy temple in Perumallapadu, costing ₹1.50 crore, were drawn from the Common Good Fund (CGF). He also launched reconstruction works worth ₹4 crore for the Sri Chennakesava Swamy temples in Chejarla and Chittaluru.
The Minister also inaugurated cement roads in Chejarla and Chittaluru villages built at a cost of ₹18 lakh. Later, addressing the media, he stated that the government is working toward a target of constructing 5,000 temples and Bhajana Mandiramulu (prayer halls) across the State within the next three years. He announced that ₹1,500 crore would be spent through the SRIVANI (Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmanam) Trust, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), to construct these temples and prayer halls. He revealed that funds amounting to ₹216.45 crore have already been sanctioned for building 1,269 such halls. He stated that funds of ₹75 crore are being provided to 6,229 temples under the ‘Dhupa-Deepa-Naivedyam’ scheme.
While trust boards have already been appointed for 988 temples, similar boards will soon be constituted for another 412 temples. Stating that over three crore devotees have benefited from the Prasadam distribution scheme so far, he said that 24 lakh people receive ‘Anna Prasadam’ every month. “Additionally, the government has decided to extend the ‘Anna Prasadam’ scheme to another 111 temples. The influx of devotees at major pilgrimage sites such as Vijayawada, Srisailam, and Tirumala has increased significantly. Measures are being taken at all levels to provide even better services to the devotees,” the Minister added. He further said, “In preparation for the Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027, the reconstruction and repair of 52 temples along the banks of the Godavari River are being carried out rapidly.
Every ancient temple in rural areas that has fallen into a state of disrepair will be identified and restored, and the government is committed to passing on the glory of Indian culture and Sanatana Dharma to future generations.”
The BriefWire