Temples in AP asked not to celebrate New Year on Jan 1
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The temples in Andhra Pradesh were asked not to celebrate New Year on January 1 by the State Endowments Department, which said it was not “Indian Vedic culture”.
The Hindu Dharma Parirakshna Trust (HDPT), under the state Endowments Department, has issued a circular to all temples in this regard, citing a directive from the Endowments commissioner Y V Anuradha.
The HDPT secretary C Vijaya Raghavacharyulu said in the circular, that exchanging greetings on January 1 and celebrating it like the festival is not Indian Vedic culture. Celebrating Ugadi, the Telugu New Year’s Day, in the month of Chaitra, is appropriate and the best culture.
India attained Independence 70 years ago and we are still following the Gregorian calendar introduced by the British. Lakhs of rupees are being spent in decorating temples to celebrate on January 1 by ignoring Indian culture.
The trust secretary said it is not right, hence there should be no special decoration of temples on Jan 1. We even find people, throng Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, the largest temple in AP. However, SED stated that the order will not be applicable to Tirumala as it is an independent entity.
