In a bid to preserve the spiritual and cultural legacy of rural Telangana, the state's Endowments Department has launched the "Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme" to extend financial support to underprivileged temples. This initiative is aimed at helping temples that have limited income and struggle to sustain daily rituals and pay priest salaries.
The Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme is a financial aid program for temples situated in rural areas of Telangana. Under this scheme:
Temples receive ₹4,000/month to support daily rituals like lighting lamps, offering incense, and food to deities.
Priests are paid ₹6,000/month as honorarium directly into their bank accounts.
This support aims to ensure that ancient temples, especially those without steady income, can maintain regular worship and cultural activities.
To be eligible, a temple must:
Be located in a rural area of Telangana.
Be at least 15 years old as of the application date.
Be facing financial difficulty in conducting daily rituals or paying priests.
Last date to apply: May 24, 2025
Applications must be submitted to the Telangana Endowments Department before this deadline.
Director Venkata Rao of the Endowments Department officially invited applications and urged eligible temple managements to apply without delay.
Temples in India are more than just places of worship - they are the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of rural communities. However, many small temples, especially in remote villages, have been neglected due to a lack of funds.
This scheme not only provides economic assistance but also:
Preserves age-old traditions and rituals
Supports the livelihood of priests
Strengthens the role of temples as cultural centers
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Financial aid to temples |
₹4,000/month |
|
Honorarium to priests |
₹6,000/month |
|
Eligibility |
15+ year old rural temples |
|
Last date to apply |
May 24, 2025 |
|
Department in charge |
Telangana Endowments Department |
This initiative is not just a financial package-it is a cultural revival effort. By ensuring that priests are compensated and daily rituals continue uninterrupted, the Telangana government is reaffirming its commitment to preserving heritage and uplifting spiritual institutions in rural areas.
Temples that meet the criteria are strongly encouraged to apply and make use of this opportunity to bring stability and sanctity back to their daily operations.