The NDA Government in Andhra Pradesh will establish Balaji temples in every state capital and across major international cities to unite devotees and promote spiritual heritage globally apart from introducing key reforms to enhance temple security and ensure self-sustaining temple management with use of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Integrating AI, digital tools, and fintech solutions to enhance temple administration, Naidu said the role of faith in Indian culture remains `irreplaceable’ even as India is at the forefront of technological advancements. Naidu said this while speaking at the second edition of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX) 2025 in Tirupati on Monday.
As part of ensuing reforms, temple Trust Boards will be expanded to include Brahmin and Nayee Brahmin community members. A dedicated committee will be formed to oversee temple security, while a Temple Tourism Committee, comprising ministers from the Forest, Endowment, and Tourism departments, will be established to promote religious tourism, the Chief Minister said. Additionally, the Dharmika Parishad will be strengthened under the Endowments Act to improve governance.
In line with the government’s commitment to temple preservation, Rs 134 crore from the Common Good Fund has been allocated for temple renovations in the past seven months, he added.
Describing Andhra Pradesh as a “spiritual powerhouse” with 27,000 temples and 21 crore annual pilgrims, Naidu indicated that he would enhance archaka (priest) remuneration, increase the stipend for unemployed Vedic scholars to ₹3,000 and ensure greater autonomy in temple and Vedic affairs.
“We are building Amaravati as the abode of angels, inspired by Devendra’s capital, and we urge devotees to visit after their Balaji darshan,” he said, adding that his government was committed to preserving Tirumala’s 75 per cent green cover and promoting environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy Sripad Yesso Naik, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, among others, according to a release.
