HDPS Founder demands ban on sale of temple land

Kakinada, Oct 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi (HDPS) Founder Kamala Kumaraswamiji today demanded that the government should ban the 'sale of temple land in the name of public auction' and put an end to the system of taking over of temples by the Endowments department.

Mr Kumaraswamiji, who arrived here as part of his 'padyatra' covering eleven districts, said several temples were in deplorable condition due to the apathy of the Endowments department.

His mission was to raise awareness among devotees on the need for safeguarding the temples and their properties.

Alleging that ''temples were being neglected and their properties usurped by anti-social elements,'' he demanded that the government should immediately hand over the temples and other endowment institutions, which had less than Rs 2 lakh annual revenue, to Hindu charitable institutions and Bhajan Mandals for taking proper care.

He said he would reach Tirupati at the end of his tour on February 16, covering a distance of 5,000 km by foot, where over one lakh devotees would attend a public meeting.

He had commenced his 'padyatra' at the holy shrine of Srikurmam on August six.

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