Karnataka Hikes Service Fees In 14 Major Temples, BJP Hits Out

Karnataka Hikes Service Fees In 14 Major Temples, BJP Hits Out

Karnataka's Muzrai Department oversees approximately 35,000 temples across the state.

The Karnataka government has implemented an increase in service fees at 14 prominent temples under the Muzrai Department's jurisdiction, effective October 1. This decision has provoked strong criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "creating impediments" for Hindu religious institutions throughout the state.

According to the official order issued by the Muzrai Department, the revised service fees will take effect at the beginning of October.

The affected temples include Sri Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple and Sri Nandi Teertha Swamy Temple in Bengaluru's Malleshwaram area, Sri Vidurashwatha Narayana Swamy Temple and Sri Bhoo Neela Sameta Venkataramanaswamy Temple in Chikkaballapur, Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Puttur, Sri Mahaganapathi Temple in Southadka, Sri Surya Narayanaswamy Temple in Maroli (Dakshina Kannada), Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple in Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), Sri Haalu Rameshwara Temple in Devapura (Hosadurga Taluk), Chitradurga, Sri Sugureshwaraswamy Temple in Raichur, and Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Udupi district.

At the popular Kukke Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, fees for the widely practiced Ashlesha Pooja and Nagara Pratishte rituals have been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500. IANS reported that fees for additional rituals have also been raised.

The government has also categorized the 34,566 temples under the Muzrai Department, with 205 designated as Category 'A', 193 as Category 'B', and 34,168 as Category 'C'.

Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that the fee increases were initiated by individual temple management committees, with the government order merely formalizing their recommendations.

"Of the 35,000 temples under Karnataka's Muzrai Department, each has its own administrative board that makes such decisions before seeking approval. Only a small number have requested fee revisions, which have been granted. The government does not intervene in these matters. Furthermore, the revenue generated by these temples remains dedicated exclusively to the development of the respective temples, neither entering government coffers nor being directed elsewhere," Reddy explained to reporters.

Officials have described the fee revision as a standard procedure conducted in accordance with the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act of 2002. The established protocol involves temple management committees proposing revisions, which are subsequently reviewed by deputy commissioners or executive officers before receiving final authorization from the Religious Endowments Commissioner in consultation with senior Agama scholars.

Nevertheless, Opposition Leader R. Ashoka strongly criticized the state government on Saturday, stating: "I fail to comprehend what kind of perverse satisfaction Chief Minister Siddaramaiah derives from creating obstacles for Hindu temples, festivals, and celebrations. This increase in service fees across 14 major Muzrai temples throughout the state represents yet another blow to Hindu devotees."