Temples in AP asked not to celebrate New Year on Jan 1

December 24, 2017 13:57

Temples in Andhra Pradesh have been 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 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.

"Exchanging greetings on January 1 and celebrating (like a festival) is not Indian vedic culture. Celebrating Ugadi, the Telugu New Year's Day (in the month of Chaitra), only is appropriate and the best culture," HDPT secretary C Vijaya Raghavacharyulu said in the circular.

"Though India attained Independence 70 years ago, we are still following the Gregorian calendar introduced by the British. Lakhs of rupees are being spent on decorating temples to celebrate January 1 by ignoring Indian culture and following western culture. The (Endowments) Commissioner suggested this is not right," it said.

"Hence, there should be no special decoration of temples (with flowers and lighting) on January 1 and no festive atmosphere should be created," the trust secretary added.

It's a common practice in most of the temples in Andhra Pradesh to conduct special pujas and darshan for pilgrims on January 1.

-- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

11 Best Spells of IPL 2024

A look at the XI Best Spells of the league stages of IPL 2024.

Sambit Patra Lands In A Soup Over Lord Jagannath Remark

'I appeal to the BJP to keep the Lord above any political discourse.'

Ranbir, SRK, Salman, Aamir Vote

Bollywood's superstars made sure to cast their vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday, with their families.

Kangana faces 'go back' slogans over Dalai Lama remark

Kangana later apologised saying she didn't mean to hurt anyone, and it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with the Dalai Lama.

Phase V: Over 59% turnout recorded; Bengal leads, Mumbai disappoints

Over 57 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday in 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election amid sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal, besides EVM glitches at...