Gaudy banners and cut-outs of temple committee members and politicos that greeted devotees at various temples will now be a thing of past.
The Endowments Department has banned erection and display of all types of banners within the temple premises, except those of the deities of the temple.
The government took the decision due to rampant advertisements by temple committees and local politicians at various temples using temple funds.
These hoardings were an eyesore to all. The Endowments Department took serious note of the gross misuse of temple funds by the temple authorities for advertisements in newspapers and magazines.
Further, it also came to the notice of the government that such hoardings are being displayed within the temple premises, i.e., within the outer prakaram, which the government tho-ught to be inappropriate.
“In order to curb all such activities and to maintain a spiritual atmosphere and decency within the temple premises, the government prohibits the erection and display of advertisement banners in all places within the temple premises, except those of the deities of the temple,” said Chitra Ramachandran, prinicipal secretary, revenue (endowments).
Banners of local politicians and temple committee members are rampant in Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, Durga temple in Vijayawada, Brahmarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam.