HYDERABAD: In an effort to promote temple tourism in the State and to provide information about the history of major temples to pilgrims, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to appoint trained guides in all the major temples in the State.
According to senior officials of endowments department initially guides would be appointed for prominent temples such as Srisailam, Simhachalam, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala, Kanaka Durga, Srikalahasthi, and Kanipakam.
The State government has plans to appoint temple guides for these temples before October 2, said the officials. Stating that AP has a good number of reputed temples and a number of Peethams and Mutts that subscribe to the preservation of Vedic Culture and Hindu Dharma, a senior official of the endowments department said the State government as part of promoting temple tourism in the State has decided to provide information about all the major temples to pilgrims visiting them.
"Every Temple has its own historical importance and spiritual significance. It is necessary that devotees are provided with correct information of the region, destination, environment and nearby places of religious importance. Hence, we have decided to appoint trained guides for every major temple," the official said.
According to officials, temple guides would be taken on contract for a period of three years. They would not be part of temple staff and their service can be terminated if they are found irregular or indiscipline or inefficient.