The Andhra Pradesh endowments department convened a high-level review meeting on Tuesday with executive officers from 22 major temples, focusing on enhancing pilgrim services through expanded online and digital facilities. The meeting took place at the endowments department headquarters in Gollapudi, Vijayawada, and was chaired by ex-officio secretary M Hari Jawahar Lal and commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan.
Emphasis on Pilgrim Facilities
Hari Jawahar Lal stressed that there should be no compromise on the facilities provided to devotees at temples, which hold a unique spiritual and cultural significance in the state. He directed officials to increase online services to ensure faster and easier access for devotees. Temple authorities were also asked to introduce new Arjita sevas tailored to changing requirements, aiming to enhance the devotional experience.
Infrastructure and Development Review
Commissioner Ramachandra Mohan reviewed development and infrastructure measures across temples and instructed officials to adopt successful practices implemented at one temple for application at other shrines, in line with the chief minister's directions. He emphasized the need to strengthen environmental and utility infrastructure, including rooftop rainwater harvesting, water recycling systems, solar power, and biogas facilities. Additionally, the commissioner directed authorities to complete the installation of piped gas systems in temples within a month.
Digital Transformation and Sustainability
The department's push for digital transformation aims to streamline services such as online booking for sevas, donations, and darshan, reducing waiting times and improving convenience for pilgrims. The focus on sustainable infrastructure reflects a broader commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with state-level initiatives. The meeting underscored the importance of leveraging technology to preserve the spiritual essence of temples while modernizing operations.
