Latest news with #EndowmentDepartment
Hans India
21-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Welfare Fund turns a boon for archakas, temple staff in state
As many as 18 Archakas and temple employees got over Rs 32 lakh under gratuity and medical benefits, thanks to the Archaka and Employees Welfare Fund started by the Endowments Department recently. Some of the employees got a benefit ranging from Rs 1 lakh to over Rs 6.5 lakh. The Archakas hailed the Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, stating that she had fulfilled the desires of priests and employees who have been working in the Endowment Department over the years. A special fund was set up for the welfare of priests and employees who were providing services in all temples for a long time. Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, Endowment Director Venkata Rao and other officials handed over the Archaka and Employment Welfare Fund cheques. Gratuity and medical assistance were provided to 18 employees through the Archaka Welfare Fund Trust. Konda Surekha handed over the cheque of Rs 32 lakh to the employees. Copies of the order were given to them as a farewell. Later, the minister felicitated the retired employees. Surekha explained that her government was committed to the welfare of Archakas and employees. She said that about 13,700 Archakas and other employees working in temples up to the level of Assistant Commissioner under the Endowment Department would benefit through this welfare trust. She said that posthumous or retirement gratuity would be given to priests and other employees. She said that posthumous gratuity would be given to the 'Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam' priests. She said that this fund would be used to pay ex-gratia paid posthumously and for the expenses of last rites. Under this fund, employees will be provided with medical reimbursement, marriage scheme, upanayana scheme, house construction, purchase and repair scheme, education scheme, financial assistance scheme for disabled employees who cannot perform their duties. 'We are indebted to Endowment Department Minister Surekhamma. Thank you Konda Surekha for resolving the issue which has been pending for years. The minister has helped us immensely. It is heartening to note that the posthumous or retirement gratuity scheme for regular priests and other employees has been increased from Rs 4 lakh lakh to Rs 8 lakh by the Welfare Board on May 28,' said an Archaka.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Surekha elated over successful conduct of Saraswati Pushkaralu
Hyderabad: Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Tuesday expressed happiness on the successful completion of Saraswati Pushkaralu. The Minister in a message said, 'I am very happy that the Saraswati Pushkaras were successful. The first Pushkaralu after the formation of Telangana was held wonderfully. Close to 30 lakh devotees took holy dips and had darshan of the Kaleshwara Mukteeshwara Swamy. Thank you all the departmental officials, local people and devotees who supported this. We wish to celebrate the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu in a grand manner,' said Surekha, offering a special thanks to the Minister D Sridhar Babu, local officials and the Endowment Department who worked hard to make these Pushkaralu a success.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Mangalya Bhagya: 22 couples enter wedlock in Nanjangud
Additional Deputy Commissioner P. Shivaraju on Thursday emphasised that people should not take loans for marriages but should opt for simple weddings to set an example for others. He was speaking at Mangalya Bhagya, a free mass wedding programme organised on the premises of Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud. The event was organised by the district administration, hindu religious institutions, and the Endowment Department. Dr. Shivaraju said the purpose of this initiative is to prevent poor and middle-class families from falling into financial hardship due to extravagant wedding expenses. Launched in 2020, Mangalya Bhagya is an ambitious scheme of the State government. 'No one should take loans for lavish weddings and then struggle to repay them. Instead, opt for a simple wedding so that families can save money and use it for other essential needs,' he said. This year, 24 couples were married through the mass wedding. Mr. Shivaraj expressed hope that at least 100 couples would participate in the event next year. Nanjangud Municipality president Srikanta praised the Endowment Department for organising such a meaningful programme. 'This helps avoid unnecessary expenses and provides an opportunity for the underprivileged to get married free of cost. Hence, more such mass wedding programmes should be encouraged.' Tahsildar Shivakumar Kasanur, Jagdish Kumar from the Srikanteshwara Temple, and other officials were present.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Saraswati Pushkaralu begins at Telangana's Kaleshwaram
Hyderabad: Saraswati Pushkaralu near Kaleshwaram in Bhupalpally district of Telangana began on Thursday. Devotees were taking a holy dip at Triveni Sangamam, where Godavari, Pranahita, and Saraswati rivers converge. This is the first Swaraswati Pushkaralu since the formation of Telangana state. Minister for Industries and Information Technology D. Sridhar Babu was among the first to take the holy dip along with his family members. 'I feel truly blessed to have taken part in the sacred Saraswati Pushkaralu at the Triveni Sangamam in Kaleshwaram early this morning. As the holy rivers Godavari, Pranahita & the subterranean Saraswati converge at this divine site, it's a profoundly spiritual moment for all of us. Witnessing thousands of devotees gather with such unwavering faith was a humbling and sacred experience,' the minister posted on 'X'. 'The first holy dip by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Madhavananda Saraswati ji added immense sanctity to the occasion. These 12 days of Pushkaralu, from the 15th to the 26th, are not just a ritual but a chance for every soul to reconnect with the divine, and I invite everyone to come, reflect and receive the blessings of Maa Saraswati,' he added. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will formally inaugurate the Pushakarlu with the inauguration of Swaraswati Ghat on Thursday evening. He along with his family members and several ministers will participate in the rituals. He will also unveil a statue of Saraswati Devi. The Endowment Department has made elaborate arrangements for the Swaraswati Pushkaralu, which is held once in 12 years. The Pushkaralu is observed when Jupiter enters the Gemini zodiac sign, which occurred at 10:35 p.m. on Wednesday. The 12-day event included daily yagas from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Triveni Sangamam and Saraswati Navaratna Mala Harati from 6:45 am to 7:35 a.m. each day at the Saraswati ghat. Cultural programmes are planned for the evenings. Officials expect that 1 to 1.5 lakh devotees will take part in Pushkaralu every day. Authorities have set up temporary tents and made other arrangements for pilgrims. The state government has allocated Rs 35 crore for Pushkaralu. Authorities undertook ghat construction and made arrangements for drinking water, sanitation and parking. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation is operating special buses from various parts of the state to Kaleshwaram.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
CM to lift curtains on grand Saraswati Pushkaralu today
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will be inaugurating the Saraswati Pushkaralu at Saraswati Ghat at Triveni Sangam in Kaleshwaram, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district on Thursday. After the inauguration of this Pushkar Ghat, the Chief Minister would take part in bathing at Kaleshwaram Triveni Sangam. Along with the Chief Minister, ministers would also participate in these Pushkaralu. The Endowment Department has made extensive arrangements for this rare Saraswati Maha Pushkaralu, which comes once in 12 years. The Pushkar Snanam will start at 5:44 am on Thursday with the Sankalpa of Toguta Ashram, Madhavananda Saraswati Swamiji. Yagas will be performed every day from 8:30 am to 11 am. A special Saraswati Navratna Malaharati is held at Saraswati Ghat every day from 6:45 am to 7:35 am. Temporary tent city has been set up for those who take a Pushkar bath. Along with this, art and cultural programmes are organised every night. The Saraswati river is considered to be the 'Antarvahini' (invisible river) flowing at the Kaleshwaram Triveni Sangam. This Pushkaram is performed for 12 days from the time Jupiter enters the Gemini sign (Gemini). Jupiter is the god of knowledge, education and spirituality. Jupiter is also known as the Guru. The Guru changes his sign once a year. It takes 12 years to enter a new sign after leaving one. The sign in which it moves is auspicious for them. This year, Jupiter will enter the Gemini sign at 10:35 pm on May 14. In Indian Sanatana Hindu traditions, Pushkar bathing is an unwavering and great devotional belief. It is a scientific belief that worshipping water, which is the basis of life, is a means of salvation. That is why every year a Pushkaralu is given to each river to show the importance of water to all living beings. When Jupiter enters each of the twelve zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces, pushkaralus are given to each of the rivers in India. When Jupiter enters Gemini, pushkaras begin for the Saraswati River. It is clarified in the Kaleshwara Khandam that the Saraswati River originates where two living beings meet.
