Why seek public donations? Yadadri temple defends appeal for funds

The Yadagirigutta temple management has defended its appeal for voluntary donations to fund various development works, saying donor participation is a long-standing practice. The clarification came amid criticism following the establishment of a Trust Board and its members’ offers to sponsor works

Hyderabad: In the wake of criticism over seeking donations for executing various works, the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Yadagirigutta, has defended the move, stating that seeking voluntary contributions from donors was a general practice.

The temple management reportedly distributed pamphlets seeking donations for executing various works, including the Deekshaparula Mandapam at a cost of Rs. 43.12 crore, Ranga Mandapam at Rs. 9.87 crore, Veda Patashala construction at Rs. 43.80 crore and 13 other works.

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However, questions were raised over the temple management’s appeal, particularly after a Trust Board was established recently. At the Board meeting held on August 14, a few Board members and the chairman had volunteered to sponsor funds for some of the works. Despite this, the temple management appealed to donors to contribute funds for temple development. The move did not go down well with many people.

Defending the decision, the temple management said in a statement issued on Tuesday that reports suggesting that pamphlets were being distributed to solicit donations because the government was not providing funds, or that Board members were seeking donors despite being willing to undertake the works themselves, did not accurately reflect the actual situation.

The practice of voluntary donor participation was neither unique to the Yadagirigutta Devasthanam nor a new concept for the temple, it said.

In the past, including during the temple’s reconstruction, donor support had been utilised for various initiatives, such as the construction of the Lord’s Swarna Gopuram (golden tower) and cottages, besides providing shelters and battery-operated vehicles for the convenience of devotees on the temple premises.

Even prominent temples across the country continued to receive voluntary contributions from devotees and donors for temple development, the statement said.

The government was undertaking various development programmes and providing the necessary support with the resolve to develop the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Drawing inspiration from the support extended by devotees and donors in the past, the temple management appealed for cooperation in carrying forward the additional development activities, it said.